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Effect of chronic clenbuterol administration and exercise training on immune function in horses

K. Malinowski^*, C. F. Kearns^*, P. D. Guirnalda, V. Roegner^* and K. H. McKeever^*,1

^* Equine Science Center, Dept. of Animal Science, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08901; and and Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003

¹ Correspondence: 84 Lipman Dr. (phone: 732-932-9390; fax: 732-932-6996; e-mail: mckeever{at}aesop.rutgers.edu).

Effects of longitudinal exercise training and acute intensive exercise (simulated race test) on immune function have not been reported in horses. Clenbuterol, a ß₂-adrenergic agonist, is used to manage inflammatory airway disease in horses. This study investigated the interaction of 8 wk of exercise training with or without 12 wk of clenbuterol administration in horses. Twenty-three untrained standardbred mares (10 ± 3 yr, Mean ± SE) were used and divided into four experimental groups. Horses given clenbuterol plus exercise (CLENEX; n = 6) and clenbuterol alone (CLEN; n = 6) received 2.4 µg/kg BW of clenbuterol twice daily (in an average volume of 20 mL) on a schedule of 5 d on and 2 d off for 12 wk. The CLENEX group was also aerobically trained 3 d/wk. Mares given exercise alone (EX; n = 5) were aerobically trained for 3 d/wk, and the control group (CON; n = 6) remained sedentary. Both EX and CON horses were administered similar volumes (approximately 20 mL) of molasses twice daily. A simulated race test (SRT) resulted in an elevation in lymphocyte number postexercise (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference after acute exercise in either monocyte or granulocyte number. Acute exercise resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the percentage of CD4+ and an increase (P < 0.05) in the percentage of CD8+ cells. The SRT resulted in a decreased lymphoproliferative response to pokeweed mitogen (P < 0.05). A SRT had no effect on antibody production in response to equine influenza vaccine. The EX group demonstrated greater cortisol concentrations at rest and at all other time points postexercise after completing the training regimen compared with CLENEX horses (P < 0.05). Preexercise (SRT) peripheral blood monocyte number was lower in CLENEX horses than in other treatment groups (P < 0.05). Clenbuterol and exercise training did not significantly affect post-SRT changes in leukocyte numbers. Exercise training resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the percentage of CD8+ cells post-SRT compared with other groups, but the percentage of CD4+ cells was not altered by either clenbuterol or exercise conditioning. Lymphocyte proliferative response was not affected by clenbuterol or exercise treatment. Horses demonstrated responses to bouts of acute exercise as noted with other species, namely humans and rodents.

Key Words: Adrenergic Agonist • Equine • Exercise • Exertion • Stress

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