By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky evaluated “inflamm-aging” – an increase in inflammatory mediators found in aging horses that can affect their ability to resist infection, respond to vaccination, and defend against age-related conditions.

Forty horses ranging in age from 20 to 33 years old were involved in this study. The goal was to see if feeding a prebiotic or a fish-oil derived omega-3 fatty acid (DHA) would improve the immune response to vaccinations as well as reduce overall inflammation.

Results

The inflammatory response, measured by three specific cytokines, was significantly reduced in horses receiving the diet containing prebiotics. Omega 3s had no impact of inflammatory markers. Neither diet had an effect on vaccination response.

Implications for your horses 

The prebiotic supplement used in this study was a proprietary blend currently added to a popular senior feed. Consequently, we cannot know the exact ingredients. But it is reasonable to assume that it contains substances that are typically included in quality prebiotic supplements.

A prebiotic promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the horse’s hindgut. It does not contain live organisms. Prebiotics often include bacterial fermentation products, as well as oligosaccharides, beta glucan, and yeast extract. 

A healthy microbial population is an important aspect of a well-functioning immune system. Favorable microbes can prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying by binding them and carrying them out of the horse’s body. As exhibited by this study, promoting a robust bacterial population through prebiotic supplementation helps lower inflammatory cytokines.

Of note is the lack of inflammatory reduction in horses receiving omega 3s. It has been well documented that omega 3s reduce inflammation. This study’s results may be due to only measuring a specific group of cytokines. 

Study

Adams, A.A., Vineyard, K.R., Gordon, M.E., Reedy, S., Siard, M.H., and Horohov, D.W., 2015. The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA) and prebiotic supplementation on inflammatory cytokine production and immune response to vaccination in old horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 35(5), Abstract, 407-408.

 

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