Evaluation of a Comprehensive Profile of Salivary Analytes for the Diagnosis of the Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Abstract

In this report, the measurement of salivary biomarkers as an aid for diagnosis of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) was studied. A comprehensive panel of 23 salivary analytes was measured in the saliva of horses affected by EGUS and compared to healthy animals and horses with other diseases clinically similar to EGUS but with a negative diagnosis at gastroscopic examination. A total of 147 horses were included in the study and divided into heathy population (n = 12), the EGUS group (n = 110), and the group of horses with other diseases (n = 25). From the 23 analytes studied, 17 showed increased values in EGUS horses when compared to healthy ones, and uric acid, triglycerides, and calcium were significantly increased in horses with EGUS compared to the group of other diseases. The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed a modest but significant discriminatory power of those three analytes to identify EGUS from other diseases with similar symptoms. The discriminatory power enhanced when the results of the three analytes were combined. In conclusion, the results showed that selected salivary analytes could have potential use as biomarkers in horses with EGUS.

Changes in Calprotectin (S100A8-A9) and Aldolase in the Saliva of Horses with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

“…Banked samples of saliva from a previous study [ 6 ] and other additional samples, all collected during 2022, were used for the measurements of CALP and aldolase in the following groups: EGUS groups: animals with compatible signs according to the criteria established previously [ 6 ] were further divided into the different types of EGUS: ESGD group: horses with a score ≥ 1 on the 4-point ESGD gradation scale at gastroscopy according to the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) Consensus Statement [ 3 ]. EGGD group: since a validated grading system for EGGD is not widely accepted, the description of the anatomical lesions compatible with the disease determined by gastroscopy was used for diagnosis, as recommended by ECEIM [ 3 ].…”

“…Banked samples of saliva from a previous study [6] and other additional samples, all collected during 2022, were used for the measurements of CALP and aldolase in the following groups:…”

“…A previous work found that EGUS produces changes in saliva composition [ 6 ]. When a panel of saliva analytes was studied in horses with EGUS, including different enzymes, metabolites, proteins, redox biomarkers, and minerals, it was found that some analytes such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), uric acid, triglycerides and calcium have the potential to detect EGUS in horses [ 6 ]. In addition, analytes related to oxidative stress showed the ability to differentiate between horses with EGGD and healthy horses [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…When a panel of saliva analytes was studied in horses with EGUS, including different enzymes, metabolites, proteins, redox biomarkers, and minerals, it was found that some analytes such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), uric acid, triglycerides and calcium have the potential to detect EGUS in horses [ 6 ]. In addition, analytes related to oxidative stress showed the ability to differentiate between horses with EGGD and healthy horses [ 6 , 7 ]. These results indicate the potential of saliva to reveal the changes occurring in this disease with the advantage of not producing stress in horses [ 8 ].…”

“…EGUS groups: animals with compatible signs according to the criteria established previously [6] were further divided into the different types of EGUS:…”