Journal of Veterinary Advances

Evaluation of Serial Measurements of Selected Biomarkers in

Serum and Peritoneal Fluid for the Diagnosis of Intestinal
Ischemia in Donkeys: An Experimental Study
Hamad Y., El-Ashker M. R., Ibrahim H. M. M., Abouelnasr K. and Youssef M. A.

J Vet Adv 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

DOI: 10.5455/jva.1969123104000010

Online version is available on: www.grjournals.com

HAMAD ET AL.

ISSN: 2251-7685

Original Article

Evaluation of Serial Measurements of Selected

Biomarkers in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid for the
Diagnosis of Intestinal Ischemia in Donkeys: An
Experimental Study
1Hamad
1

Y., 1El-Ashker M. R., 1Ibrahim H. M. M., 2Abouelnasr K. and 1Youssef M. A.

Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516,
Egypt.
2
Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516,
Egypt.

Abstract
Up to now, there has been limited evidence relating to the early diagnostic approach of colic in equine
patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serial measurements of selected biomarkers in both serum
and peritoneal fluid (PF) in donkeys underwent experimental intestinal obstruction owing to early detection of
intestinal. For this purpose, four apparently healthy male donkeys (Equus asinus) were randomly purchased
based on their health condition and were thoroughly examined to rule out concurrent or even previous ailments.
Following a standard pre-surgical and surgical precautions, these animals were subjected to intestinal ischemia
via complete ligation of ileum and its mesentery. The animals were clinically and ultrasonographically
monitored for 72 hours. Paired samples of blood and PF were collected from each animal before surgery (T0)
and following surgical intervention at the following time points: T12, T24, T48 and T72 to measure the
respective levels of L-lactate, nitric oxide (NO), total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), lipase and cardiac troponin I
(CTnI). The results herein demonstrated that the pattern of both PF and blood lactate were significantly higher
at T72 than those at other time points (P< 0.05). Serum values of NO, AP, lipase and CTnI, despite being not
significantly changed among the different time points, their respective levels in the PF were altered significantly
when compared with their levels in serum (P<0.05). The obtained findings indicated that PF can be used as a
potential diagnostic indicator for the early detection of intestinal ischemia in donkeys.
Keywords: Colic, donkeys, peritoneal fluid, ultrasonography, biomarkers.

Corresponding author: Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Received on: 08 Nov 2016
Revised on: 18 Nov 2016
Accepted on: 25 Nov 2016
Online Published on: 30 Nov 2016

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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

EVALUATION OF SERIAL MEASUREMENTS OF

Introduction
Colic remains one of the most important causes
of mortalities among equine patients and represents
the most frequent emergent condition encountered
in equine practices (Reeves, 1997). The severity of
the colic case is, in general, ranged from a harmless
temporarily spasmodic colic to a severe
strangulating obstruction combined with multiple
organ dysfunction with eventual circulatory
collapse (Archer and Proudman, 2005).
Among the most commonly reported colic
cases, acute intestinal obstruction is still considered
one of the most common causes of colic in horses
that referred to equine clinics (Reeves et al., 1996).
The case can vary from a simple obstruction to a
life-threatening strangulating obstruction. Acute
cases often need immediate surgical intervention.
Such treatment has been reported to be expensive
besides the relatively high mortality rates (Ihler et
al., 2004).
Under field and hospital conditions,
veterinarians are frequently confronted with owners
who asking for the prognosis of a horse with colic,
before making important financial decisions.
Generally, the clinical diagnosis of the site and type
of the intestinal lesion is often difficult; therefore
accurate diagnosis is crucial to predict a reliable
prognosis that can be changed during the course of
the disease (Blikslager and Roberts, 1995). Hence,
the choice of appropriate treatment and thereby
adequate examination is important in spite of many
animal clinics had limited facilities for laboratory
examination (White, 2005).
Although there has been an evidence of
improved survival rates following colic surgeries,
the mortality rate is still high among horses with
strangulating lesions (Sutton et al., 2009). The
mortality is usually linked to acute circulatory
failure secondary to intestinal ischemia or due to
post-operative complications associated with the
primary lesion (Mair and Smith, 2005). Besides,
intestinal ischemia has been reported to implicate as
the prime mechanism in the pathogenesis of
multiple organ failure and initiating a remote organ
failure (Swank and Deitch, 1996). Yet, there have
been several diagnostic tests used to evaluate horses
with colic, and these tests vary in their cost,
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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

available facilities and the level of experience

required to perform the techniques and interpreting
outcomes (Curtis et al., 2015). Among other tests,
abdominal tap has become an important aid in the
diagnosis of abdominal diseases in horses (Mirza et
al., 1999; Saulez et al., 2004; Duesterdieck-Zellmer
et al., 2014). It is rapid, inexpensive, and minimally
invasive procedure that provides a potentially useful
diagnostic information (Saulez et al., 2004). The
primary use of abdominocentesis in equine practice
has been reported to be a method for differential
diagnosis of the acute abdominal crisis. The routine
peritoneal fluid (PF) analysis involve physical as
well as cytological examinations besides
determination
of
protein
concentration
(Duesterdieck-Zellmer et al., 2014).
Previous studies have also reported the
usefulness of estimating certain biochemical
variables in PF including nitric oxide (NO) (Mirza
et al., 1999), lactate, glucose and pH as a potential
indicator of intestinal ischemia or peritonitis
(Hoogmoed et al., 1999). However, no reported
data are yet available about the significance of
measuring PF-cardiac troponin I (CTnI) in horses
with colic. Besides, studies on PF enzymology are
comparatively less common (Davieset al., 1984;
Saulez et al., 2004).
Currently, there has been limited evidence
relating to diagnostic approach at the first
evaluation of colic cases; while most information is
only available from reviews and textbooks (Curtis
et al., 2015). Hence, the present study was
delineated to evaluate the serial measurements of
certain biomarkers including lactate, nitric oxide
(NO), total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), lipase and
CTnI in serum as well as PF to diagnose intestinal
ischemia in donkeys undergo experimental
intestinal obstruction.
Materials and Methods
Animals
The present study was conducted on four
apparently healthy male donkeys (Equus asinus),
with an average of three years of age and body
weight 150 to 180 Kg. Donkeys were purchased
from different localities of Dakahlia Governorate,
Egypt. The pre-surgical, clinical and laboratory

HAMAD ET AL.

examination revealed that all animals were

clinically healthy and free from concurrent or
previous ailments. Animals were kept in the animal
house of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at
Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Mansoura
University in May, 2016 and fed on a maintenance
balanced mixed ration containing chopped wheat
straw adlibitum, 12 kg of bran and 23 kg of
whole corn. The ration was supplemented by
minerals and mixture of trace elements (MUVCO
Egypt). Two weeks prior the experiment, all
animals were dewormed by using Ivermectin paste
(Equiveen ADWIA, Egypt), that was applied on the
back of the tongue at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg BW
and were vaccinated against tetanus. During the
entire experiment, all animals were kept under
similar management and feeding practices.
All procedures were performed in accordance
with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or
national research committee and with the 1964
Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or
comparable ethical standards. All applicable
international,
national,
and/or
institutional
guidelines for the care and use of animals were
followed.

obstruction of the lumen, as well as mesenteric

blood supply ligation, was induced by simple knot
using No. 2/0 Coated VICRYL (polyglactin 910)
(ETHICON LTD/UK). The intestine was then
lavaged with sterile saline before being replaced
inside the abdomen. The abdominal cavity was also
lavaged with sterile saline to minimize any
contamination then the abdominal wall and skin
was closed routinely.
All animals were closely monitored for the
appearance of any clinical symptoms of colic. A
special concern was given to the heart rate,
respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mucous
membrane color, appetite, abdominal pain, cecal
and colonal motility and defecation patterns,
according to the standard clinical examination
methods.

Experimental Induction of Small Intestinal

Obstruction
The selected animals were initially fastened for
twelve hours. Thereafter, each animal was given
Cefotaxime sodium (Cefotax, EPICO, Egypt) at a
dose rate of 20 mgKg-1via IV injection. Sedation
was induced via IV administration of xylazine HCl
(Xylaject- ADWIA Co., Egypt) at 1.0 mg kg_1.
Then, the animals were generally anaesthetized
using modified triple drip regimen of xylazine (500
mg L_1) and thiopental sodium (NOVARTIS,
Egypt) (4 mg L_1) at infusion rate of 2 ml/kg_1 per
hour.
The anaesthetized animals were positioned in a
dorsal recumbency. The site of operation is
prepared aseptically and trapped with sterile towels
fixed in position with sterile towel clamps. A
ventral midline laparotomy incision was made with
length about 30-40cm begin just anterior to the
umbilicus and extending forward. The intestine was
palpated, and exteriorized to allow a thorough
inspection. The ileum was located and a complete

Ultrasonographic Examinations
Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examinations
were performed with a 5 MHz curved-linear
transducer (CHISON Digital Color Doppler
Ultrasound system, iVis 60 EXPERT VET,
CHISON Medical Imaging Co., Ltd.). The donkeys
were restrained in stocks without any sedation
during ultrasonographic examinations.
The position of the descending duodenum and
cecal body in each donkey was identified before the
beginning of ultrasonographic examinations. The
descending duodenum was located at the right
thoracic area extending from the 8th to the 18th rib
along the line joining the olecranon and tuber
coxae.
The cecal body was identified in the upper part
of the right para-lumbar region. The abdomen was
clipped at those identified regions, cleaned with
alcohol and then coupling gel was applied to
enhance the contact with the probe. Intestinal
contractions per three min were counted via
ultrasonographic examination

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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

Post-Operative Care
The sutured wound in all animals was
investigated and evaluated for any defect. The
suture stitches were removed at the 10th day in
survived animals. Cefotaxime sodium was given
intravenously at a dose rate of 20 mgKg-1 twice
daily for 3 successive days post operation.

EVALUATION OF SERIAL MEASUREMENTS OF

Collection and Management of Samples

Paired samples of blood and PF were generally
collected from each animal just before surgery (T0)
and following the surgical intervention at the
following time points: 12 hours (T12), 24 hours
(T24), 48 hours (T48) and 72 hours (T72). An
emergent humane euthanasia was performed
following the last collections where the animals
were firstly sedated by xylazine followed by IV
administration of sodium pentobarbital.

biochemical estimation of the following variables

using commercial test kits according to the standard
protocols of suppliers: lactate (Spectrum
Diagnostics, Germany), NO (Bio-diagnostic, Egypt;
Cat No: NO2533), TAP (ElLI Tech Clinical
Systems, France), lipase (Quimica Clinica
Applicada, Spain) and CTnI (Siemens healthcare
diagnostics products ltd; Cat No: LKTI1).

Blood Samples
10 mL of blood were collected from each
animal via jugular vein puncture into tubes without
anticoagulant i.e. plain tubes to yield serum. The
samples were rapidly cooled on crushed ice and
were transported to the laboratory, to be centrifuged
at 1000 g (or 3000 rpm) for 20 minutes to
separate serum.
Only clear non-haemolysed serum was
harvested and aliquoted then kept frozen at -20C
for biochemical estimation of the following
variables using commercial test kits according to
the standard protocols of suppliers: lactate
(Spectrum Diagnostics, Germany), NO (Biodiagnostic, Egypt; Cat No: NO2533), TAP (ElLI
Tech Clinical Systems, France), lipase (Quimica
Clinica Applicada, Spain) and CTnI (Siemens
healthcare diagnostics products ltd; Cat No:
LKTI1).

Data analyses were performed using a

statistical software program (SPSS for windows
Version 16, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Data were
tested for normal distribution using KolmogrovSmirnov test. The data were normally distributed;
therefore, means and standard deviation for each
variable at each time point was calculated. ANOVA
with repeated measures was used to determine the
effect of time. Wilks Lambda test indicated a
statistically significant difference between groups.

Peritoneal Fluid
Samples of PF were collected from each animal
according to the method previously described
(Duesterdieck-Zellmer et al., 2014). The samples
were immediately centrifuged at 1000 g (or 3000
rpm) for 5 minutes and the supernatant was
collected and frozen at -20C until further

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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

Statistical Analysis

Results
An overview of serum and peritoneal fluid
biochemical
alterations
in
animals
with
experimentally induced intestinal ischemia is
summarized in Figures (1-6). Clinically, there was a
statistically significant increase in both heart rate
and respiratory rate, but not rectal temperature, in
all animal subjects throughout the study period
(P<0.05), the highest values observed at T72 and
T48 for heart rate and respiratory rate, respectively
(Figure 1). Signs of abdominal pain including
muscle fasciculation, loss of appetite, gut stasis,
decreased fecal output, congested mucosa,
shivering, pawing and sternal recumbent position
were also observed at T48 and T72 until euthanasia
was performed.

HAMAD ET AL.

Temperature

Respiratory rate

Heart rate

80
60

b
b

40
*

20
0

T0

T12

T24

T48

T72

T ime/hours

Fig. 1: Mean values SD of rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate in donkeys with experimentally
induced intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars labelled with different letters or those having asterisk (*) within
the same variables are significantly different at P< 0.05.

Ultrasonographic examination provided an

information about the obstruction and accumulation
of exudates in the peritoneal cavity. The pattern of
both PF and serum lactate showed a significantly
PF- Lactate

40
Concentration (mmol/L)

higher value at T72 than those in other time points

(P< 0.05) (Figure 2). The ratio between PF to blood
lactate levels was less than 1.0 at T0 to T24 but
exceed 1.0 at T48 and T72.
Blood lactate

30

**
*

20
10
0
T0

T12

T24

T48

T72

Time/hours
Fig. 2: Mean values SD of peritoneal fluid versus serum lactate (mmol/L) in donkeys with experimentally induced
intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars within the same group labelled with asterisk * are significantly different
at P< 0.05.

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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

EVALUATION OF SERIAL MEASUREMENTS OF

PF-Nitric oxide

Serum Nitric oxide

concentration U/mL

15

10

0
T0

T12

T24

T48

T72

Time/hours

Fig. 3: Mean values SD of peritoneal fluid versus serum nitric oxide (U/mL) in donkeys with experimentally
induced intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars within the same group labelled with asterisk * are significantly
different at P< 0.05.

Values of serum NO showed no significant

variations (P = 0.5913) among the different time
points, but PF NO showed only a significant
increase in its value at T24 (P = 0.0236) when
compared with T0 (Figure 3). For serum AP, its
levels showed no significant variations (P = 0.5277)
throughout the different time points; but in PF, AP
showed a significant increase in its value at T48 and
T72 when compared with T0, T12, and T24 (Figure
4). Values of circulating blood lipase showed no
significant changes (P = 0.0601) throughout the

different time points, but PF lipase was only

significantly altered at T48 compared with those at
T12 and T24 (P<0.05) (Figure 5). Values of serum
(CTnI) showed no significant variation among the
different time points (P = 0.1159); while their
respective values in PF were significantly increased
at T72 compared with other time points (P< 0.01)
and also were significantly different from those in
serum at the same time point (P = 0.0284) (Figure
6).

PF-Nitric oxide

Serum Nitric oxide

concentration U/mL

15

10

0
T0

T12

T24

T48

T72

Time/hours

Fig. 4: Mean values SD of peritoneal fluid versus serum alkaline phosphatase (U/L) in donkeys with
experimentally induced intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars within the same group labelled with different
letters are significantly different at P< 0.05.
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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

HAMAD ET AL.

PF-Lipase

Blood Lipase

200

Concentration U/L

*
150
100
50
0
T0

T12

T24

T48

T72

Time/hours

Fig. 5: Mean values SD of peritoneal fluid versus serum lipase (U/L) in donkeys with experimentally induced
intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars within the same group labelled with asterisk * are significantly different
at P< 0.05.

PF-Cardiac troponin I

Serum Cardiac Troponin I

Cardiac troponin I (ng/mL)

0.15

*#

0.10

0.05

0.00

T0

2
T1

4
T2

8
T4

2
T7

Time/hours

Fig. 6: Mean values SD of peritoneal fluid versus serum cardiac troponin I (ng/mL) in donkeys with
experimentally induced intestinal ischemia at different time points. Bars labelled with asterisk (*) within the same group
are significantly different at P< 0.05. Bars with asterisk (#) within the same time point are significantly different at P<
0.05.

Discussion
In the present study, the clinical findings were
not specific and provided little information about
the intestinal crisis in donkeys. Although
ultrasonography could visualize the area of
obstruction and the adverse consequences, its
diagnostic utility in donkeys with abdominal pain
did not receive full attention and hence require
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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

further investigations. Markers of gut ischemia are

clinically useful for the effective prediction,
monitoring and management of obstructive colic
colic under field condition, which in turn can reduce
the associating mortalities. The inclination to
improve the diagnostic accuracy when evaluating a
horse with colic has led to multiple studies of
clinical examination and multiple laboratory
variables. Indeed, the analysis of PF has been

EVALUATION OF SERIAL MEASUREMENTS OF

potentially suggested to add critical information for

colic cases that are not straight forward. In this
context, analysis of PF have been described in
multiple colic cases in the last 30 years (Hanson et
al., 1992; Delesalle et al., 2007; Radcliffe et al.,
20012; Duesterdieck-Zellmer et al., 2014). To the
best of our knowledge, there has been limited
evidence of the diagnostic biomarkers and the
potentially linked complications in equine subjects
with abdominal pain, particularly at the first
evaluation of colic cases, while most information is
only available from reviews and textbooks.
In the present study, the values of peritoneal
lactate were significantly higher than those of blood
after 48 hours following intestinal obstruction and
continue in the same pattern after 72 hours.
Likewise, the ratio between PF to blood lactate
levels was less than 1.0 at the basal time and even at
24 hours of surgery, but it exceeds 1.0 at 48 and 72
hours post-surgery. Values of PF lactate remained
lower than serum lactate throughout the initial
stages of ischemia until 48 hours post-operatively,
after which the peritoneal lactate becomes higher.
Inadequate intestinal tissue perfusion and ischemia
can lead to anaerobic glycolysis with subsequent
elevation of lactate concentration in the PF and
blood of horses suffering from colic. Similar finding
was previously given elsewhere (Delesalle et al.,
2007; Radcliffe et al., 2012). Typically, in horses
with visceral ischemia, lactate concentration was
first increase in PF; after that a gradual increase of
lactate was seen in the systemic circulation
(DeLaurier et al., 1989; Liao and Li, 1995). Similar
findings have also been documented in human
subjects and have led to a post-operative direct
intra-abdominal online monitoring of PF lactate by
using microdialysis catheters in order to early detect
visceral ischemia as a predictive sign of shock and
multiple organ dysfunction (Jansson et al., 2003;
Sommer and Larsen, 2004).
Several studies have indicated that blood and
PF lactate concentration can have a prognostic
significance in horses with colic (Delesalle et al.,
2007; Tennent-Brown et al., 2010). In a
retrospective study examining adult horses with
large colon volvulus found that the mean blood
lactate level at admission were significantly higher
in non-survived horses compared with those of
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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

survivors (Johnston et al., 2007). The authors added

that the mean level of blood lactate were returned to
normal in survivors but remained significantly
increased in non-survivors.
It was of interest to note that the basal values of
obtained lactate in PF and blood were a little bit
different from that reported in resting horses. In that
context, authors have found that the basal plasma
lactate values were <2 mmol/L (Lumsden et al.,
1980; Moore et al., 1980; Flisinska-Bojanowska et
al., 1991); but in our study, the values were 4.74
1.40. Likewise, the PF lactate concentrations have
been reported to be 0.7 0.2 (Moore et al., 1977) or
0.66 0.43 mmol/L (Latson et al., 2005); while in
this study was 3.00 0.33mmol/L. Similarly,
peritoneal fluid: plasma lactate ratios have been
evaluated for prognostic purposes in horses with
colic. The results of these studies showed that all
horses having lactate values higher in plasma than
in PF were survived (Moore et al., 1977). In this
study, values of serum NO showed no significant
variation among all time points (P = 0.5913), while
PF-NO showed only a statistically significant higher
value at T 12 compared with basal value and other
time points (P = 0.0236). The findings obtained
were in part agreed with those previously obtained
by Mirza et al., (1999). In that study, the authors
have found that plasma and PF, but not urine, NO
concentration
was
significantly
increased
subsequent to naturally acquired small intestinal
strangulating obstruction. In previous reports, it has
been found that NO can exert either cytoprotective
or cytotoxic effects during intestinal ischemia and
reperfusion depending on the magnitude, duration,
source and timing of its production (Moncada and
Higgs, 1993; Beckman and Crow, 1993). The
constitutive NO, which is produced under basal
condition, can protect the intestinal mucosal barrier
through mediating vasodilation, inhibiting platelet
adhesion and aggregation, decreasing neutrophil
adhesion, and stabilizing mast cells (Beckman and
Crow, 1993); while the inducible isoform (iNOS)
has been reported to be expressed in numerous
cells, in response to cytokines or another stimulus,
which leads to the sustained release of large
quantities of NO (Moncada et al., 1991). The
produced NO can react in large quantities with
superoxide radicals to produce peroxynitrite, a

HAMAD ET AL.

potent oxidant that can cause appreciable tissue

damage (Beckman and Koppenol, 1996). Serum
TAP showed no significant variations throughout
the different time points (P = 0.5277); however, PFTAP showed only a statistical higher values at T48
and T72 than those at other time points. Our
findings were agreed with previous reports
elsewhere (Saulez et al., 2004; Davies et al., 1984).
The authors have found that neither activity of
serum TAP nor intestinal form was useful in
identifying the type or severity of the intestinal
lesion. In contrast, an increase in serum activity of
intestinal form of AP has been reported earlier in
horses with intestinal damage (Blackmore and
Palmer, 1977). On the other side, measurements of
PF-TAP activity have been reported to aid in the
identification of more severe intestinal lesions and
horses requiring surgery (Saulez et al., 2004). In
another experimental study, horses with intestinal
ischemia have a statistically significant high value
of PF-TAP activity (Davies et al., 1984).
Unlike the results obtained here, some authors
have documented that horses with severe small
intestinal disease had normal TAP activity in PF
(Froscher and Nagode, 1981). The authors
concluded that increased TAP activity in PF cannot
be used as a reliable indicator of small intestinal
injury in horses, because the TAP is predominantly
granulocytic in origin (Froscher and Nagode, 1981);
while Saulez et al., (2004) suggested that the
increased activity of PF-TAP be attributed an
increase
hepatic
exposure
to
endotoxin,
inflammatory mediators, or enteric bacteria, and
stretching of the bile ducts due to ileus. In the
current investigation, a repeated measure ANOVA
elicits no statistically significant variation of
circulating blood lipase among the different time
points (P = 0.0601); however, PF lipase was
significantly higher at T48 compared with those at
T 12 and T24 (P<0.05). The elevation of PF lipase
activity would suggest acute pancreatic injury
secondary to intestinal obstruction. The acute
pancreatic disease has been considered a rarely
studied clinical entity in equine, and the pancreatic
involvement in shock after acute abdominal
disorders has not yet been extensively reported
(Grulke et al., 2003; Talbot et al., 2011). It has been
extrapolated from human studies that shock
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J. Vet. Adv., 2016, 6(11): 1357-1367

(particularly septic shock) can lead to

hypoperfusion of the splanchnic area or neutrophil
activation, often resulting in multi-organ
dysfunction. Among the splanchnic organs, the
pancreas is mostly vulnerable to hypovolemia
(Venneman et al., 1993) due to the high metabolic
activity of the acinar cells and to the specific
structure of the blood distribution in this organ
(Endrich et al., 1990).
In the present study, values of PF-CTnI was
found to be superior to their respective pattern in
serum. The elevation of troponin I in PF would
suggest myocardial injury sequel to intestinal
ischemia. In general, alterations in serum values of
CTnI have been reported in horses suffering from
colic (Radcliffe et al., 2012; Nath et al., 2012); or
those with experimentally induced endotoxemia
(Nostell et al., 2012). However up to now, no
published data are yet available regarding the
potential significance of measuring CTnI in PF. Our
finding revealed that CTnI were not elevated
globally but it did locally in PF. Unlike to the
results obtained for serum CTnI, a moderate
increase in serum CTnI has been previously
detected and carried a poor prognosis in horses post
colic surgery (Radcliffe et al., (2012), In another
study, serum CTnI was elevated in 36% of horses
suffering from strangulating lesions and 47% of
horses with inflammatory lesions (Nath et al.,
2012). The limitation of the present study is that the
low number of animals being used, that could result
in low power and wide confidence intervals. Hence,
the use of these variables should be interpreted
cautiously until more data become available to
support these findings.
Conclusion
The results herein demonstrated that
measurements of PF lactate, NO, AP, lipase, and
CTnI can provide valuable information for the early
diagnosis as well as detection of the deleterious
consequences of intestinal ischemia in donkeys
suffered from intestinal obstruction. Further studies,
involving larger numbers of animals, are needed to
substantiate the obtained findings and provide
clinical value for measuring these parameters in an
equine patient admitted with colic and to monitor

EVALUATION OF SERIAL MEASUREMENTS OF

the clinical outcome of intestinal obstruction in the

animals.
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