Effect of repeated oral administration of hypertonic electrolyte solution on equine gastric mucosa

Abstract

Summary Reasons for performing study: Electrolyte supplementation is common in horses during endurance competitions, but the effect on the gastric mucosa is unknown. Hypothesis: Repeated oral administration of hypertonic electrolyte solution is associated with exacerbation of gastric ulcers in mature horses. Methods: The study design was a randomised, blinded, crossover trial. Fourteen horses were divided randomly into equal groups and administered either 60 ml water (placebo) or 56.7 g commercial electrolyte supplement mixed with 60 ml water by dose syringe orally once an hour for 8 h. The minimum concentration of individual constituent electrolytes/28.35 g dry commercial product used was: sodium (5528 mg); chloride (11,886 mg); potassium (3657 mg); calcium (754 mg); and magnesium (153 mg). Gastric lesions were scored prior to and after oral treatments, and analysis of variance procedures were then performed. Results: Administration of hypertonic electrolytes resulted in a significant increase in mean ulcer number (P = 0.0174) and severity (P = 0.0006) scores in the nonglandular stomach. Mean ulcer number score was 3.6 and mean ulcer severity score 2.7 after hypertonic electrolyte treatment. Conclusions: Oral hypertonic electrolyte administration to horses in this model was associated with exacerbation of gastric ulcers. Potential relevance: Our findings suggest that one schedule of electrolyte supplementation used commonly in endurance horses may be harmful to the gastric mucosa.

Peptic Ulcer and Exercise

“…Studies in animals, particularly in racehorses, point towards a negative effect of prolonged and intensive exercise, although this inference must be tempered by difficulties in allowing for dietary change, the use of hypertonic fluids and medication, prolonged travel and other stressors associated with the participation of animals in high-level competition [19,20]. In humans, occupational studies have yielded conflicting results, with more recent investigations pointing to a negative influence from physically demanding manual work.…”

“…Suggested mechanisms include a tensing of the abdominal muscles that pushes acidic gastric contents into the proximal stomach when galloping [17], exercise-induced increases in concentrations of gastrin and thus acid secretion [18], repeated administration of hypertonic electrolytes [19], and the stress of transport to and from sites of competition [20]. The importance of acid secretion to ulceration is suggested by the effectiveness of histamine receptor 2 (H 2 ) antagonists [21,22] and proton pump inhibitors [22][23][24][25][26][27] in treatment.…”

Effect of Trace Mineral Supplementation on Gastric Ulcers in Exercising Yearling Horses †

“…It has been reported that stalled horses who have ulcers improve within 7 to 9 days at pasture (Murray and Eichorn, 1996). Conversely, more recent studies show that horses turned out to pasture have a high incidence of gastric ulcers (Holbrook et al, 2005;le Jeune et al, 2008). Furthermore, horses in New Zealand are commonly turned out to pasture while in race training, which is different than race horse housing in the United…”

Effect of ad libitum intake of an electrolyte repository in horses that underwent a polo game

“…Administration of electrolytic paste is an efficient strategy to increase water consumption; therefore, it helps with hydroelectrolytic replacement when compared to isolated water intake (DUSTERDIECK et al, 1999;SOSA LEÓN et al, 1998;TEIXEIRA-NETO et al, 2004). However, frequent administration of electrolytic paste to horses may exacerbate or even induce the development of gastric ulcers (HOLBROOK et al, 2005).…”