Dietary Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Increase Plasma Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentrations and Trot Stride Length in Horses
Source: A. D. Woodward, B. D. Nielsen, C. I. O’Connor, S. K. Webel, and M.W. Orth
It has been reported previously that fish oil causes beneficial effects not only the circulation system, but also in problems arising from osteoarthritis. However, benefits associated with supplementing fish oil are overruled by palatability issues. Therefore, a stabilized long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplement was developed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on plasma fatty acid concentration as well as stride length in horses. Twelve mature and six 2-year-old Arabian horses were used to determine the effect of dietary long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC PUFA) supplementation on plasma fatty acid and stride length. Stride lengths were measured at both the walk and trot on d 0 before horses were pair-matched and fed either a treatment diet (LC) containing stabilized LC PUFAs or a control diet (CO) containing corn oil for 75 d. Horses were exercised 5 d/wk at increased time intervals, and blood samples were drawn and body weights recorded on d 0, 25, 50, and 75. Post treatment stride lengths were recorded again at the end of supplementation. Total omega-3 fatty acid levels were higher in LC horses (P=0.016), and total omega-6 fatty acids increased from d 0 to d 75 in all treatments (P=0.007). Ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids was lower in LC horses (P=0.028); however, the ratio was higher on d 75 than d 0 in all treatments (P=0.021). There was trend for plasma EPA concentrations to increase on d 75 in LC horses (P=0.061) and to be higher on d 75 in LC horses (P=0.061). LC horses had increased plasma DHA on d 75 (P<0.0001). There was a trend for LC horses to have a longer trot stride (P=0.059), although there was no difference in walk stride (P=0.95). Supplementation with LC PUFA increases the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and tends to ease problems associated with osteoarthritis. The exact mechanism of omega-3 fatty acids in osteoarthritis is still unknown.
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