The influence of glucocorticoid preparations on adrenocortical function in horses
Glucocorticoid preparations have anti-inflammatory effects and are commonly used in the equine clinical setting. However, such treatments can cause several side effects. Adrenal insufficiency is an adverse effect induced by the suppression of adrenal function following drug administration.
This study aimed to investigate the influence of two glucocorticoid preparations, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, on adrenocortical function in horses.
Clinicians intramuscularly administered the usual doses of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone preparations to six horses in an equine practice, and peripheral blood was collected at different time points. Concentrations of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone in the plasma, before and after drug administration, were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Considering circadian rhythms in endogenous hydrocortisone levels, hormone concentrations, before and after drug administration, were compared at the same time of the day.
Plasma dexamethasone concentrations were below the limit of quantification at 72 hr post-administration. Plasma hydrocortisone concentrations were significantly lower from 1 to 72 hr after administration.
After hydrocortisone preparation administration, plasma hydrocortisone levels were significantly higher until nine hours, and significantly lower at 24 and 48 hours. The suppression rate of endogenous hydrocortisone ranged over 2.2-5.3% with dexamethasone treatment and 17.5-45.7% with hydrocortisone treatment.
The study clearly indicated the effects of glucocorticoids on adrenocortical function in horses and provided basic knowledge about the selection and prescription of glucocorticoid preparations and setting the withdrawal times in equine clinical setting.
Mio Kikuchi et al. "Evaluation of the effect of glucocorticoid treatment on adrenocortical functions by monitoring endogenous hydrocortisone in horses." J Vet Med Sci. 2023 Jun 13;85(6):647-652. doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0011. Epub 2023 May 8.
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