Changes in haemostasis in endurance horses: detection by highly sensitive ELISA-tests

full Equine Veterinary Journal article: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123509460/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Equine Veterinary Journal
Volume 27 Issue S18, Pages 120 - 123

Published Online: 10 Jun 2010

L. MONREAL1,*, ANNA M. ANGLES1, M. MONREAL1, YVONNE ESPADA1 and J. MONASTERIO1
1Experimental Unit of Thrombosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Correspondence to *Experimental Unit of Thrombosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Copyright © 1995 EVJ Ltd
KEYWORDS
horse • coagulation • fibrinolysis • endurance • exercise • ELISA-tests
ABSTRACT

Exercise induced variations in coagulation and fibrinolytic activities were evaluated in 25 endurance horses competing in a 80 km ride. Venous blood samples were collected before exercise, after 40 km and 30 min after 80 km. Haematological parameters, fibrinogen, clotting times (aPTT and PT) and the main inhibitors (AT-III and α2-antiplasmin) activities were determined. Furthermore, we assessed thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) as a marker of coagulation activity; and fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP) and fibrin degradation products D-dimers (FbDP) as markers of fibrinolytic activity using immunoenzymatic tests. Significant changes in all haemostatic parameters were found after endurance exercise. A significant (P < 0.001) increase of TAT values was found when comparing pre-race (mean ± s.d. 2.28 ± 0.9), at 40 km (3.45 ± 1.2) and 30 min after 80 km (4.0 ± 1.9 ng/ml). Values of FgDP before, at 40 km and after 80 km showed a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease (mean ± s.d. 445.0 ± 144.4, 210.0 ± 111.1 and 177.7 ± 77.2 ng/ml) and the values of FbDP showed a slight but significant (P < 0.001) increase (mean ± s.d. 875.4 ± 230.9, 1062.0 ± 310.0 and 737.2 ± 305.3 ng/ml). These changes confirm a hypercoagulable state, a marked hypofibrinogenolysis and a slight hyperfibrinolysis during endurance exercise. No significant differences were found between the results from horses that finished (n / 19) and those eliminated because of fatigue (n = 6).


------- footnotes by Endurance.Net:

Thrombophilia or hypercoagulability is the propensity to develop thrombosis (blood clots) due to an abnormality in the system of coagulation.

hypofibrinogenolysis below normal inactivation or dissolution of fibrinogen in the blood.

hyperfibrinolysis The fibrinolysis system is responsible for removing blood clots. Hyperfibrinolysis describes a situation with markedly enhanced fibrinolytic activity, resulting in increased, sometimes catastrophic bleeding