Key result
Exercise training for 15 weeks significantly increased plasma ACE activity in 13 horses irrespective of the training protocol, with levels decreasing upon training interruption.
Why the study?
Does exercise training influence circulating ACE activity in horses?
RCT (n=13)
Randomly allocated
Does exercise training influence circulating ACE activity in horses?
Exercise training produces a gradual increase in plasma ACE activity in horses, suggesting its potential use as a tool for fitness monitoring.
May support ACE activity for equine fitness monitoring; hypothesis-generating and leaves open clinical translation.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies in man have shown a correlation between Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) genetic polymorphisms, ACE activity in the blood and superior athletic performance in sports requiring endurance. It has been hypothesised that the same correlation occurs in horses. There is no information in the literature concerning the effects of training on ACE activity in equine plasma. HYPOTHESIS: Exercise training influences the activity of circulating ACE and the response observed is dependent on the exercise protocol. METHODS: Thirteen horses of mixed breeds were randomly allocated 2 different training protocols to be carried out for a period of 15 weeks. Blood samples were collected from each horse before the beginning of training to determine baseline values. Subsequent sampling took place every 15 days throughout the training phase and for 8 weeks of paddock rest. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity was determined by automated spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Training for 15 weeks significantly increased plasma ACE activity, irrespective of training protocol. Differences observed in ACE activity pattern between the 2 training protocols were not statistically significant. Increase in ACE activity peaked with maximum workload. As soon as training was interrupted, ACE levels significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: Exercise training affects levels of ACE activity in equine plasma. The mechanism for this is not yet elucidated, but cardiovascular adaptation to exercise and blood pressure changes might be involved in this regulation. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Exercise training produced a gradual increase in enzymatic activity and might warrant the use of ACE as a tool for fitness monitoring. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme enzymatic activity in the plasma might be directly correlated to a change in genetic expression and that variability must be taken into account when evaluating results from horses undergoing a physical training programme.
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Costa et al. (2011) conducted an RCT in Healthy horses (n=13). Exercise training protocols vs. Alternative training protocol was evaluated on Plasma Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Exercise training for 15 weeks significantly increased plasma ACE activity in 13 horses irrespective of the training protocol, with levels decreasing upon training interruption.
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