Iatrogenic equine metabolic syndrome in thoroughbred horses

ABSTRACT

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a cluster of problem that includes obesity, insulin resistance and laminitis. In EMS peripheral adipocytes synthesize adipokines which are analogous to cortisol, resulting in Cushing syndrome like-signs and insulin resistance. The used of dexamethasone and triancinolone is very common and not permitted. Hypothesis or Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe metabolic syndrome iatrogenic in Thoroughbred horses. Were studied 22 Thoroughbred horses (12 female and 10 male), between 2-5 years old, in the national race Track “La Rinconada” Caracas-Venezuela. All equine were euthanized and study by necropsy. Samples were collected from the adrenal glands, gastric mucosa, pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, heart and adenohypofisys. Tissue sections were prepared and stained with Hematoxilin & Eosin (H&E) for light microscopy. Results: Clinical signs were polyury, polydipsy and secondary diabetes mellitus, recurrent infection, lethargie, laminitis and weight loss syndrome. Were isolates of recurrent infection Salmonella sp., E. coli, Streptococcus sp, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter cloacae. Necropsy revealed weight loss, loss fatty subcutaneous, xantomathosis of subcutaneous tissue. Abscess in coxal tuberous, facial and shoulder region. Liver was swollen, friable and icteric. Renal cortical and papillary necrosis. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome severed. Liver with periacinar necrosis with a prominent acinar pattern and fatty degeneration severed. Necrosis and vacuolar (glycogen) degeneration islets of langerhans, fibrosis and chronic. Renal cortical and medullary necrosis, acute tubular necrosis and glycogen nephrosis, glomerulonephritis membranous. Hemorrhages in adrenal cortex and atrophy cortical. Conclusions: These results suggest a iatrogenic EMS in Thoroughbred associated with overdose and chronic dexamethasone and triancinolona