Inflammation in humans and in equines is a serious condition that unchecked can lead to life-threatening infections. It can also characterize disease.
Gene Therapy Comes to Forefront
Gene therapy is the newest hope to control metabolic syndrome and prevent inflammatory conditions in equines. Genes build muscles and function capabilities on a cumulative basis. They form regulatory controls and establish detrimental traits, as well.
Researchers seek an ability to control, or isolate the dysfunctional-causing genes to switch off their undesirable effects. The natural compound resveratrol, found in berries, nuts, and grapes, is helping with this cutting edge research.
Humans and Animals Share Diseases and Cures
In human medical research, one person's demise may result in a catalyst to save many other lives. The actor Chris Reeve, thrown from the horse he was riding, suffered crippling injuries. He never walked again before he died, but he devoted his years spent in a wheelchair to the support of stem cell research, so others who shared his fate might have extended lives.
The same may be said of the attention given in 2006 and beyond to the tragic breakdown and eventual euthanization of the Thoroughbred racehorse Barbaro.
According to veterinary reports discussed in the Thoroughbred Times (April 24, 2010 edition), Barbaro's breakdown led to an increase in research into the causes and treatment of the hoof disease laminitis. It was laminitis, an incurable infectious deterioration of the hoof lining, that killed the 2006 Kentucky Derby champion, not the horrendous fractures that occurred in his right hind leg in the Preakness Stakes.
Veterinarians interested in arresting the debilitating effects of laminitis have been led to a search for theraputic methods to stall arthritis, tendinitis, and sacroiliac and lumbar problems.
Resveratrol on Cutting Edge of Inflammatory Research
Patrick Lawless, a Ph. D. researching compounds designed to slow inflammatory conditions in humans, has helped introduce Equithrive Joint for equines. The product uses gene therapy to block inflammatory problems at cellular developmental levels.
Resveratrol is the cutting edge product on the cusp of anti-inflammatory research. The compound attacks the gene production of cytokines in the immune system that build inflammation which can lead to lameness such as osteoarthritis.
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine Rick Pelphrey (Churchill Veterinary Supply Company, Louisville) and Monty McInturff (Tennessee Equine Hospital, Thompson's Station, Tennessee) have also worked with resveratrol. Their studies show that resveratrol formulations contained in Equithrive Joint demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects.
Gene Therapy Valuable in Muscle Building
Doctors Pelphrey and McInturff conclude that resveratrol also helps control gene activity in carbohydrate metabolism. Equine metabolic syndrome is associated with the resistence to insulin. The effects of resveratrol continue to be studied as they relate to the control of metabolic enzymes.
Resveratrol is aimed at halting the inflammatory process in its earliest stages. Most current anti-inflammatory therapies attempt to stop cell damage after the destructive cytokines have been released.
Grapes, berries, and nuts contain a phytoalexin, or the natural compound called resveratrol that has been studied for over ten years as it relates to human medicine. Dr. Lawless, and others, brought the product to the forefront of equine metabolic and rehabilitative research after the efforts to save Barbaro became world-wide news.
Today, gene expression therapy is becoming the new frontier in human and in equine research to produce stronger muscles, and in particular, healthier, faster horses, while entertaining the possibilities of "switching off" genes that have been shown to initiate disease, or conditions such as laminitis.
BarbaraAnne Helberg - Barbara Anne Helberg, Supporter of Better Lives for Animals and Clean, Spirited, Competitive Sports
