Observations on the Activities of Certain Serum Enzymes and Levels of Some Biochemical Parameters in Spent Horses with Liver Damage
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb10310262Keywords:
acute; chronic; liver damage; serum biochemistry; spent horsesAbstract
Clinical biochemistry tests are one of the tests designed to assess the functional status of the liver in domestic animals and man. This study evaluated the activities of some serum enzymes and the level of some biochemical parameters in horses with acute and chronic liver damage. This study was carried out in Nigerian horses presented for sale at the Obollo Afor horse depot, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State Nigeria. A total of 100 adult Nigerian horses of either sex were studied once a week for a period of 24 weeks. Serum biochemistry parameters indicated for the assessment of liver function were evaluated following standard procedures. These parameters include: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, total bilirubin and urea. Based on the outcome of the serum biochemistry evaluation, the horses were assigned into 3 groups namely: apparently healthy horses (Group 1), horses with biochemical markers of acute liver damage (Group 2) and horses with biochemical markers of chronic liver damage (Group 3). The mean serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin values of group 2 horses were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of groups 1 and 3 horses. The mean serum albumin value of group 2 horses was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of groups 1 and 3 horses. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the mean serum urea value of group 2 and 3. A significantly (p < 0.05) lower serum creatinine value was observed in group 2 horses. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the mean serum total protein, globulin and cholesterol values across the groups. In the spent horses, acute liver damage was characterized by increased serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, and decrease in creatinine level, hyperbilirubinemia, slight hypoalbuminemia, normal total protein, globulin and cholesterol levels while chronic liver damage was characterized by decreased serum ALT activity, normal serum AST and ALP activities, decreased serum urea level, normal total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin and cholesterol levels.
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