The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program

GVSP Summer 2006 Scholars

Georgia Veterinary Scholar	Faculty Mentor

Brent Credille University of Georgia Class of 2008	Dr. Laura Riggs

Markers of Oxidative Stress in plasma, laminar tissue, and skin of horses administered black walnut extract

Brent Credille*, Laura Riggs1 Karolina Burda and Thomas Krunkosky. Department of Anatomy and Radiology, Department of Large Animal Medicine1, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens GA 30602

Evolving from multiple etiologies, laminitis is a complicated and somewhat poorly understood condition that affects numerous horses worldwide. Recent research suggests that oxidative stress may play a role in the acute phase of laminitis. Collectively, studies have demonstrated an increase in activated neutrophils, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and myeloperoxidase levels in plasma, skin and laminar tissue from laminitic horses induced with Black Walnut Heartwood Extract (BWHE). As a consequence of increased myeloperoxidase release and ROS production in skin and laminar tissue, multiple oxidant sensitive cellular signaling pathways may be upregulated. Our general hypothesis is that since the skin and the lamina share a common developmental origin as part of the integument, both of these tissues are affected by the same inflammatory events during the course of laminitis. With this in mind, the long term objective of this project is to develop a novel skin biopsy technique to detect animals at risk for developing laminitis. Specifically, we hypothesize that nitrotyrosine and 8-isoprostane levels, which are both markers of oxidative stress, are increased in tissues of laminitic horses. To test our hypothesis, tissue samples from control horses and horses in which laminitis has been induced using BWHE will be investigated. Utilizing slot blot, western blot, and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques, we will attempt to quantify the expression of these compounds. The results of this study may help assist in the detection of acute laminitis and aid in developing more effective treatments during the early stages of the disease. Understanding the role of oxidative stress in skin and laminar tissue obtained from BWHE induced laminitic horses will help us understand the physiological events that lead to the acute onset of laminitis and assist veterinarians in detecting horses at risk for developing laminitis and institute treatment before serious damage has occurred to the hoof tissue.