Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Supplementation Increases Levels in Red Blood Cells and Reduces the Prevalence and Severity of Squamous Gastric Ulcers in Exercised Thoroughbreds
Researchers assessed the relationship between plasma and RBC fatty acid composition and incidence and severity of squamous gastric ulcers when altered by short- or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation.
Thirteen fit Thoroughbred horses in training were used in this study. Horses were evaluated by gastroscopy for squamous ulcer score, gastric pH, and blood fatty acid composition prior to supplementation (UNSUPP) and after 3 months of supplementation with a corn-flax oil blend of ALA and LA (SC-PUFA) or a GLA-fish oil blend of GLA, EPA, and DHA (LC-PUFA) in a crossover design. Prior to gastroscopy and blood collection, horses performed a 4,600-m standardized exercise test on the racetrack as a stressor.
Three months of supplementation with LC-PUFA increased red blood cell levels of GLA, DGLA, AA, EPA, and DHA and reduced severe ulcer prevalence (38% UNSUPP vs. 8% LC-PUFA with a severe ulcer score, grade 3-4). SC-PUFA supplementation did not effectively elevate RBC GLA, DGLA, AA, EPA, or DHA and severe ulcer incidence was not different (38% UNSUPP vs. 23% SC-PUFA with a severe ulcer score, grade 3-4). Lower levels of RBC GLA, DGLA, AA, and EPA correlated with severe squamous gastric ulceration (grade 3-4).
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is prevalent in high-performance horses and is a concern to owners and trainers. LC-PUFA supplementation increased levels of GLA, DGLA, AA, EPA and DHA, unlike SC-PUFA, and was positively associated with prevention or resolution of severe squamous gastric ulceration. Further studies are needed to evaluate different management styles and exercise intensities.
Pagan, J.D., A.A. Hauss, E.C. Pagan, J.L. Simmons, and B.M. Waldridge. 2022. Long-chain fatty acid supplementation increases levels in red blood cells and reduces the prevalence and severity of squamous gastric ulcers in exercised Thoroughbreds. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In press.