University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
January 2020
Major
Biology
Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Kristen M. Brennan
Mentor Department
Other
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and antioxidant defenses in cells. Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, both ROS, are natural by-products of metabolic pathways. Antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), protect cells from damage by detoxifying free radicals. When ROS production increases, or antioxidant defenses decrease, damage can occur to cells. Horses are susceptible to oxidative stress from factors including aerobic exercise, aging, and an imbalanced diet. Some nutrients function as part of the antioxidant systems and supplementing the diet can decrease oxidative damage. Antioxidants help scavenge ROS and convert them to usable O2 andwater. De-Odorase® is a product made from yucca schidigera. Yucca has been shown to have antioxidant functions in other species, but there is no research in horses. The objective of this study was to determine if De-Odorase®2X supplementation can alter antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative markers in the blood of horses. Horses (n=5 per treatment) were fed either the control or control plus De-Odorase®2X (10g/hd/d) over a 30d period. Blood was sampled on d0, 15, and 30 of dietary treatments. Commercially available kits were used to determine lipid peroxidation (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and SOD, GPX and CAT enzyme activity. There was no effect on SOD, GPX, CAT, or plasma MDA. Red Blood Cell MDA, and TAC increased over time regardless of diet. Although created from yucca schidigera that has antioxidant components, De-Odorase® has shown to have no significant effect on decreasing oxidative stress in horses.
