Equine Laminitis

- How laminitis developed

 -   the epithelial detachment resulting from inflammation and enzyme activation associated with sepsis and other disease processes, insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and excessive weight bearing are factors at the forefront of current investigations.

-  Colonic fermentation of plant with Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) may cause gastrointestinal disturbances that can lead to laminitis. In addition, intake of feeds rich in NSCs may lead to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in animals with metabolic syndrome. Experimental models leading to hindgut fermentation of carbohydrates and hyperinsulinemia both reliably induce laminitis.

-   Laminitis associated with sepsis associated with Leukocyte infiltration, endothelial activation, and increased messenger RNA concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressions have been documented in experimental models of equine sepsis and gastrointestinal disease.

-  Alterations in laminar hemodynamics, including alterations in blood flow and increased venous resistance favoring edema formation, have been documented but may not be the primary events leading to laminar failure.