The Effect of Low-Dust Forages and the Role of Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators in Mild-Moderate Equine Asthma

Mild-moderate equine asthma (EA) is a commonly encountered disease of racehorses that affects performance. Decreasing dust exposure is crucial in the treatment of equine asthma. Dry hay, because of its high dust content, is known to increase the risk of airway inflammation. Feeding haylage, steamed hay, or hay pellets instead can help to decrease dust exposure. Haylage may also contribute to the resolution of airway inflammation by providing higher levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3). Higher levels of Ω-3 are associated with an increase in pro-resolving lipid mediators (PRLM), essential molecules in the resolution of airway inflammation. The studies presented in this dissertation were designed to test the hypothesis that feeding low-dust forages would decrease airway inflammation in racehorses, and that haylage would provide superior resolution of airway inflammation compared to other low dust forages due to changes in systemic Ω-3 and PRLM concentrations associated with increased dietary Ω-3 intake. Three clinical trials were conducted to determine the effect of low-dust forages on airway inflammation. Environmental exposures were measured at the breathing zone, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and differential cytology counts were performed as measure of airway inflammation. The first clinical trial was a pilot study performed with 7 Standardbred racehorses. Horses were randomly assigned to eat hay (n=3) or haylage (n=4) for 6 weeks while in training. Measurements were performed at baseline and after 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Results showed a decrease in respirable dust, and β-glucan exposure in the horses fed haylage when compared to those fed hay. BAL neutrophil proportion was significantly lower at weeks 2, 4, and 6 when compared to baseline and at week 6 when compared to horses fed hay. The second clinical trial was performed on 19 mild asthmatic horses from the teaching herd. The diet of these horses was changed from dry hay to haylage (n=9) or hay pellets (n=10) for 6 weeks. Measurements were performed at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Results indicated that horses eating haylage and hay pellets were exposed to similar dust levels that were significantly lower than when they were eating dry hay. BAL neutrophil proportion was significantly lower in horses eating haylage when compared to baseline and to horses eating hay pellets at week 6. Horses eating haylage exhibited a significant decrease in stearic acid concentration at week 6. Pro-resolving lipid mediators (Resolvin D1, Resolvin E1, and Lipoxin A4) did not affect neutrophil apoptosis or efferocytosis in vitro. The third clinical trial was performed on 73 thoroughbred racehorses actively racing and training. Horses were randomly assigned to eat dry hay or to change the forage to steamed hay or haylage. No other change in the management of the horses was allowed. Measurements were performed at baseline (n=73), week 3 (n=69), and week 6 (n=53). Results indicated that respirable dust exposure was significantly reduced when racehorses were fed steamed hay or haylage in place of dry hay. Respirable dust exposure was positively associated with BAL neutrophil proportions. Feeding haylage also significantly decreased exposure to respirable endotoxins. Horses eating haylage for 3 weeks had significantly lower BALF neutrophil proportion when compared with baseline. Also, at week 3, horses eating haylage showed a significant decrease in mast cell proportion, and horses eating steamed hay had a significant decrease in eosinophil proportion