High-intensity exercise and competition are associated with depressed immunefunction. Young horses, which participate in high-intensity exercise and competitions, are atincreased risk for the development of infectious disease due to depression of immune function.The effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on the immune status ofyoung racing horses were evaluated, determining whether BCAA might help to avoid or reduceimmune suppression during exercise and competitions. Twenty horses (10 male and 10 female)were treated with BCAA supplementation; another twenty untreated horses (10 male and 10female) constituted control group. Peripheral blood was collected from each animal and evaluatedfor lymphocyte subsets, phagocytosis analysis of monocytes and granulocytes, lymphocyteproliferative response, and expression of cytokine-encoding messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs).The numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ cells in femalesof the treated group were significantly higher than those in females of the control group. Thelymphocyte proliferative response in female of the treated group also was significantly higherthan that in females of the control group. In addition, expression of mRNAs encoding interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in females of the treated group was significantly higher thanthat in females of the control group. There were no significant differences between males ofthe treated and control groups. The results of this study indicated the positive effects of BCAAsupplementation in counteracting immunosuppression in young female racing horses during andfollowing high-intensity exercise.
(PDF) Effects of branched-chain amino acids on immune status of young racing horses. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358809834_Effects_of_branched-chain_amino_acids_on_immune_status_of_young_racing_horses [accessed Jul 26 2023]. |
