Influence of Glutamine and Glutamate Supplementation in the Blood Levels of Horses

Authors

  • Helena Emília Cavalcanti da Costa Cordeiro Manso Center for Equine Research and Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Animal Production (BIOPA), Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE).
  • Deyvson Ferreira de Oliveira Center for Equine Research and Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Animal Production (BIOPA), Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE).
  • Monica Miranda Hunka Center for Equine Research and Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Animal Production (BIOPA), Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE).
  • Hélio Cordeiro Manso Filho Center for Equine Research and Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Animal Production (BIOPA), Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.98685

Abstract

Background: The most abundant free amino acid in mammals is glutamine (GLN). Little research has focused on GLN supplementation for horses, but GLN levels in this species are known to decline after exercise and during lactation. Under physiological conditions, the body produces Gln in sufficient quantities for general metabolism, and a small part of this amino acid comes from dietary protein. Little research has so far focused on equine dietary supplementation with free glutamine or combined with other amino acids during catabolic states or in highly stressful situations. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of equine dietary supplementation using a combination of glutamine and glutamate.  

Materials, Methods & Results: The study involved four Arabian mares, not in training (~380 kg; ~12 years old) and four treatments (control, and inclusions of 1, 2 and 4% of GLN+GLU) in a Latin square model. A 7-day washout period was established between each phase. Fifty percent of the mares’ maintenance energy requirements came from concentrate and 50% from hay and grazing. The other 50% came from Tifton hay (Cynodon dactylon), which was supplied ad libitum. After 7 weeks of nutritional supplementation (once a day, in the morning). In the experimental model, the mares were distributed in a Latin square design comprised of four treatments: control (without inclusion) and inclusions of 1%, 2% and 4% of supplement (AminoGut®, Ajinomoto do Brazil), and four animals. Blood was collected in five stages (fasting, and 60, 120, 240 and 360 min after feeding) in each treatment. The blood samples were analyzed to determine GLN, GLU, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total plasma protein, hematocrit and glucose levels. Glutamine and Glutamate concentrations were analyzed using the enzymatic spectrophotometric method. The results were analyzed statistically using one- and two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test with P set at 5%. The results indicated that GLN differed in both the group (P < 0.001) and between the phases of supplementation (P < 0.001), but no interaction occurred between them (P > 0.05). Significant changes in GLN levels were also observed in the 4% inclusion treatment compared to all the treatments in the fasting phase and in the + 60 min and +240 min phases of the control group (P < 0.05). All the other biomarkers analyzed here were unchanged (Glutamate, Urea, Creatinine, Urea, TPP, Glucose and Hematocrit) (P > 0.05) during the period under analysis, and remained within the normal range for the species in their current stabling conditions. The mares presented no clinical problems nor did they change their feeding behavior during the supplementation period or on the days blood was collected.

Discussion: Glutamine metabolism in horses has yet to be extensively studied.  However, it has been shown that, when supplied to horses in its free form, this amino acid causes Gln levels to rise rapidly within the first 90 min of the postprandial period.  This indicates that an extra amount of this amino acid may increase Gln blood levels despite intense degradation of enterocytes. This study found that supplementation with a combination of Gln+Glu can increase blood Gln levels after 6 h in the treatment involving 4% Gln+Glu included in the concentrate (P < 0.05) In conclusion, supplementation with GLN+GLU raised the mares’ GLN levels after 360 min when 4% of GLN+GLU was included in their diet. These results may be used to establish GLN supplementation models for horses. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Castell L.M. & Newsholme E.A. 2001. The Relation between Glutamine and the Immunodepression Observed in Exercise. Amino Acids. 20(91): 49-61.

Duckworth D., Madison J.B., Calderwood-Mays M. & Souba W.W. 1992. Arteriovenous Differences for Glutamine in the Equine Gastrointestinal Tract. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 53(10): 1864-1867.

Gleeson M. 2008. Dosing and Efficacy of Glutamine Supplementation in Human Exercise and Sport Training. Journal of Nutrition. 138: 2045S-2049S.

Hackl S., van der Hoven R., Zickl M., Spona J. & Zentek J. 2006. Individual Differences and Repeatability of Post-prandial Changes of Plasma-free Amino Acids in Young Horses. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 53: 439-444.

Hackl S., van der Hoven R., Zickl M., Spona J. & Zentek J. 2009. The Effects of Short Intensive Exercise on Plasma Free Amino Acids in Standardbred Trotters. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 93: 165-173.

Harris P. & Geor R.J. 2009. Primer on Dietary, Carbohydrate and Utility of the Glycemic Index in Equine Nutrition. The Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice. 25: 23-37.

Harris R.C., Harris P.A., Routledge N.B., Naylor J.R. & Wilson A.M. 2006. Plasma Glutamine Concentrations in the Horse Following Feeding and Oral Glutamine Supplementation. Equine Veterinary Journal. 36: 637-642.

Manso Filho H.C., Abreu J.M.G., Manso H.E.C.C.C., Santiago T.A. & Magalhães F.J.R. 2010. Supplementation with Nutraceuticals Produces Changes in Working Horse’s Blood Parameters but not in Their Body Composition. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae. 38(3): 299-305.

Manso Filho H.C., Abreu J.M.G. & Manso H.E.C.C.C. 2008. Suplementação com Aminoácidos e Nutracêuticos Modifica a Composição Corporal e Parâmetros Sanguíneos de Equinos Idosos. Revista do Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária. 43: 9-15.

Manso Filho H.C., Betros C.L., Gordon M.E., Manso H.E.C.C.C., Watford M. & McKeever K.H. 2017. Exercise Training, Glut-4 Protein aAundance and Glutamine in Skeletal Muscle of Mature and Very Old Horses. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 13(2): 63-69.

Manso Filho H.C., Manso H.E.C.C.C., Watford M., McKeever K.H., Lagakos W.S. & Wu G. 2009. Developmental Changes in the Concentrations of Glutamine and Other Amino Acids in Plasma and Skeletal Muscle of the Standardbred Foal. Journal of Animal Science. 87: 2528-2535.

National Research Council - NRC. 2007. Nutrients Requirements of Horses. 6th edn. Washington DC: NRC, 341p.

Parry B.W. 2003. Normal Clinical Pathology Data. In: Robinson N.E. (Ed). Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. 5th edn. Saint Louis: Saunders, pp.870-886.

Parry-Billings M., Budget R., Koutedakis Y., Blomstrand E., Brooks S., Williams C., Calder, P.C., Pilling S., Baigrie R. & Newsholme E.A. 1992. Plasma Amino Acid Concentration in the Overtraining Syndrome: Possible Effects on the Immune System. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 24(12): 1353-1558.

Routledge N., Harris R.C., Harris P.A., Naylor J.R.J. & Roberts C.A. 1999. Plasma Glutamine Status in the Equine at Rest, During Exercise and Following Viral Challenge. Equine Veterinary Journal. 30: 612-616.

Russell M.A., Rodiek A.V. & Lawrence L. 1986. Effect of Meal Schedules and Fasting on Selected Plasma Free Amino Acids in Horses. Journal of Animal Science. 63: 1428-1431.

Salloum R., Duckworth D., Madison J.B., Young M. & Souba W.W. 1993. Characteristics of L-Glutamine Transport in Equine Jejunal Brush Border Membrane Vesicles. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 54(1): 152-157.

Walsh N.P., Blannin A.K., Robson P.J. & Gleeson M. 1998. Glutamine, Exercise and Immune Function. Links and Possible Mechanism. Sports Medicine. 26(3): 177-191.

Wanderley E.K., Manso Filho H.C., Manso H.E.C.C.C., Santiago T.A. & McKeever K.H. 2010. Metabolic Changes in Four Beat Gaited Horses After Field Marcha Simulation. Equine Veterinary Journal. 42(38): 105-109.

Westermann C.M., Dorland L., Wijnberg I.D., de Sain-van der Velden M.G.M., van Breda E., Barneveld A., de Graaf-Roelfsema E., Keizer H.A. & van der Kolk J.H. 2011. Amino Acid Profile During Exercise and Training in Standardbreds. Research in Veterinary Science. 91(1): 1

Published

2019-01-01

How to Cite

Cordeiro Manso, H. E. C. da C., de Oliveira, D. F., Hunka, M. M., & Cordeiro Manso Filho, H. (2019). Influence of Glutamine and Glutamate Supplementation in the Blood Levels of Horses. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.98685

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)