Influence of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Seed Cakes on Biochemical Values of Equine Plasma Subjected to Physical Exertion

Abstract

Veterinarians can recommend milk thistle for the treatment of equine liver disease and laminitis. Milk thistle seed cakes were fed in the range of normal feed doses in this study. The milk thistle seed cakes were fed (twice a day) to the experimental group of the horses (n = 5) and biochemical blood markers (TP, Albumin, ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase), Bilirubin, Cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), TAG (triacylglycerol), BHB (beta-hydroxybutyric acid), NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids), creatine kinase, creatinine, Urea, GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), TAS (total antioxidant status), lactate, glucose, cortisol, Ca, Pi) were monitored. The control group of horses (n = 5), bred and trained in the same conditions, was used for comparison. The control group received the entire feed dose as accepted by the horses in the experimental group before the beginning of the experiment. The aim was to find out whether the preparation of milk thistle seed cakes could have positive effects on the health of the horses. All ten horses received one feeding form before the beginning of the experimental monitoring. All horses were exposed to heavy physical exercise (regular combined driving training) after 56 days of milk thistle seed cakes feeding (up to 400 g/day). Three blood samples were taken (before physical exercise; about 15 min and 60 min after physical exercise). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected in the values of AST, NEFA, cortisol and Pi in the experimental group. The exercise effect was detected in the values of albumin, lactate, cortisol, NEFA, and calcium. Our results suggest that the feeding of milk thistle seed cakes could have a positive effect on the health of the horses.

Silybum marianum seed extract supplementation positively affects the body weight of weaned piglets by improving voluntary feed intake

“…The renal histological damage protection effect of SMS extract has been demonstrated by Jaggi et al [5]. In addition, plenty of studies have demonstrated that dietary supplementation of SMS extract had no significant effects on the serum creatinine levels in ducks [36], horses [37], and dogs [29]. Therefore, the results of this study indicated that dietary supplementation of SMS extract had no adverse effects on the renal function in weaned piglets.…”

Effect of Silymarin Supplementation in Lung and Liver Histological Modifications during Exercise Training in a Rodent Model

“…Recently, in the study of Docklalova et al [ 59 ], sport horses were feed with milk-thistle seed cakes (400 g/day) for 56 days and exposed to heavy physical exercise (2 h of regular combined driving training). The results showed a general positive effect on health of the horses, but significant differences were found in AST, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cortisol, and phosphorus (Pi).…”

Use of Milk Thistle in Farm and Companion Animals: A Review

“…SIL provided by the administration of milk thistle seed cake had a positive effect on horse health and energy metabolism, proven by lower NEFA values, with higher utilization of NEFA during exercise, associated with a faster return of cortisol to the resting values. In another study conducted by Dockalova and colleagues [119], mares were fed with different daily feed doses of milk thistle expeller (100,200,400, and 700 g/d) with an SIL content of 3.4, 6.8, 13.4, and 19.4 g/d, respectively, to evaluate the digestibility of SIL, monitored by HPLC-UV from feces samples. The authors evidenced statistically significant differences on digestibility of flavonolignans, and for ALT and creatinine level.…”