Oxidative stress biomarkers status in selected equine sports

AbstractOxidative stress is an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. Chronic exercise can lead to an increase in the production of oxidants and the up-regulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms. In horses, there are several potential exercise-related mechanisms for oxidant production. Athletic horses are exposed to different amounts of stress according to the type of sport and physical exertion. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of type of sport, gender, and age on oxidant/antioxidant and enzymatic status in active athletic horses. Thirty-nine healthy athletic show-jumping, polo, tent-pegging, and normal work horses were evaluated for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at rest. A significant positive correlation between SOD and TAC was observed. CK was significantly higher in show-jumping horses compared to tent-pegging horses and higher in mares compared to stallions. ALP was significantly higher in polo horses compared to show-jumping horses. LDH was significantly higher in horses aged 11 –14 compared to the 7–10-year group. Our findings support the occurrence of the adaptive response of oxidative/antioxidant status because of regular training in different equestrian sports disciplines, and stallions, mares, and geldings show similar adaptations to exercise-induced oxidative stre ss. Show-jumping see...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research