ABSTRACTLEAKY GUT SYNDROME IN HORSESByJasmin Kompare Leaky gut syndrome involves the non-mediated passage of harmful substances through the intestinal barrier causing inflammation and other undesirable effects. This can be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which have also been linked to causing equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). The gastric permeability probe, sucrose, has correlated the severity of EGUS and the amount of gastric permeability present. Preliminarily, our laboratory confirmed that NSAIDs caused ulceration associated with a level of intestinal permeability in a 2-horse crossover study. This second study examined organic mineral capability in decreasing the severity of EGUS caused by NSAIDs and their combined effects on leaky gut syndrome in horses. Eighteen Arabian horses were divided into two treatment groups supplemented with either organic (OM) or inorganic (IM) minerals for 63 days. The variables packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), BW, BCS, and ulcer grade were measured. Phenylbutazone was administered on day 42 (4.4 mg/kg BW, PO, 2x per d for 7 days) at which point sucrose (1 g/kg BW, PO) was given and urine and blood was collected thereafter. No treatment differences resulted but multiple day differences between the measured variables were observed. Ulcer grade and TS increased following the cessation of NSAID treatment (p<0.0001). Sucrose concentration in urine and plasma increased from baseline (p<0.0001). Based on this study and prior work completed by this laboratory, we can conclude that NSAIDs substantially contribute to EGUS and an unknown level of gastric permeability but no difference between organic and inorganic minerals in the prevention or healing rate of EGUS was detected.
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