Unraveling the Mysteries of Aging in Horses

Both Dr. Tiffany Hall and Dr. Ben Buchanan are board certified specialists in Large Animal Internal Medicine and work closely with BVEH clients interested in helping to understand and manage the many health problems faced by older horses. This article details and effort by one researcher to Unraveling the Mysteries of Aging in Horses:

Research Funded By Morris Animal Foundation Exploring Aging Factors

DENVER/November 22, 2011 – Most scientific research is prompted by the search for tangible answers to some of life’s most fundamental questions. Where did we come from? Why do we look, feel and act the way we do? In some underlying form, the drive to understand these concepts is at the heart of scientific progress.

Yet, few questions remain as elusive as those surrounding the biological mystery of aging. Human medicine has been attempting to understand—and halt—this process for centuries. Given that aging inevitably brings a slew of health problems, it’s only fitting that scientists would turn their microscopes toward this phenomenon to understand how it works. Although many scientists study aging to advance the health and well-being of humans, Morris Animal Foundation is committed to helping scientists use these same principles to help animals.

In one such Morris Animal Foundation–funded study at the University of Kentucky, principal investigator Dr. Kristine Urschel is working to understand why old age leads to the loss of muscle mass in horses. Under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. David Horohov, Dr. Urschel’s research could provide support for aging horses in several ways.

“This research could help extend the life expectancy of older horses and also help owners and stakeholders to better care for their aging equines,” Dr. Urschel says.

The team’s research focuses on how other age-related and geriatric diseases might affect protein metabolism. Specifically, the study is first testing to see how levels of inflammation common in older horses are related to protein synthesis. Second, the study is looking at how the age-related disease known as Cushing’s disease may also affect protein synthesis.

Although the study is still a year from completion, results look promising. Many of the techniques being used in this study have been extensively applied in human studies, but never before with horses. Moreover, the study is examining how protein synthesis is affected by age-related factors at the whole-body, muscular and molecular levels. As a result, new treatments based on significant findings in this study can be applied in various ways, including the development of dietary strategies and disease-specific treatments.

Through the continued support of studies such as this one, the mystery of aging will become less elusive and one day will open its secrets to the world of medicine for both humans and animals.

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Media Contact:

Tina M. Martinez, 800.243.2345

tmartinez@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

30-Nov-11 1:45 PM