Microdialysis measurements of lamellar perfusion and energy metabolism during the development of laminitis in the oligofructose model

Reasons for performing study: Failure of lamellar energy metabolism, with or without ischaemia, may be important in the pathophysiology of sepsis-associated laminitis. Objectives: To examine lamellar perfusion and energy balance during laminitis development in the oligofructose model using tissue microdialysis. Study design: In vivo experiment. Methods: Six Standardbred horses underwent laminitis induction using the oligofructose model (OFT group) and 6 horses were untreated controls (CON group). Microdialysis probes were placed in the lamellar tissue of one forelimb (all horses) as well as the skin dermis of the tail in OFT horses. Dialysate and plasma samples were collected every 2h for 24h and concentrations of energy metabolites (glucose, lactate, pyruvate) and standard indices of energy metabolism (lactate to glucose ratio [L:G] and lactate to pyruvate ratio [L:P]) determined. Microdialysis urea clearance was used to estimate changes in tissue perfusion. Data were analysed nonparametrically. Results: Median glucose concentration decreased t