New Outlook on Laminitis

Everyone knows the story about laminitis. I have heard people discuss laminitis as my horse foundered resulting in laminitis, or my horse is too fat therefore got laminitis...etc... well now there is a new outlook on laminitis. Current research shows that nitric oxide is a direct messenger for many functions, including control of the vasodilation (opening of the arteries). Nitric oxide is the common name, nitrogen monoxide is the systematic name and it is a chemical compound. Nitric oxide (NO) is important as a messenger molecule that is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Research has found that loss of NO shuts down the circulation to the laminae. Therefore, anything that will increase NO to the lower leg will help blood circulation. Feeding nitric acid precursors can help supply the nitric oxide.

How we can do this is by feeding appropriate amino acids. Such acids are arginine, tyrosine, threonine, lysine and methionine. These are the amino acids that are involved in the pathway to NO.

Another option is to apply nitroglycerin wraps to the coronary band. Nitroglycerin wraps can be obtained from a veterinarian or (in emergency) at the pharmacy. The nitroglycerin is a precursor for NO and can be absorbed through the skin.

Using laser therapy is another way. the laser that applies wavelengths of light to the foot could increase circulation therefore reducing pain and enhances NO production by the cells.

Lastly, applying pulsating magnetic fields to the foot capsule. Pulsating magnetic fields (PMF) increase circulation and improves blood flow to the foot. NO produced elsewhere in the body is thus circulated to the tissues.

If treatment is initiated soon enough it could possibly reduce the pain and discomfort, halt the death of the laminae therefore resulting in the stop of ration of the coffin bone.

This idea I think is great research but knowing horses, it is all a balancing act. So if I increase NO in my horse's diet, is there a negative effect? This plan of increasing NO in a horse to stop rotation sounds too simple. So after some more research appropriate levels are important of function of the horses body but sustained levels of NO can result in direct tissue toxicity.So, like everything else to the horse, NO needs to be balanced. I believe this is a great start to something new for laminitis but it is probably a good idea to do some research before increasing NO in your horse's diet. The ideal way to use this new research is to have a way to test the NO levels. Find a healthy average. When the horse goes below the average then increase NO then to stop the risk of laminitis and have no risk of toxicity. Or just keep our horses healthy and make sure their diet is balanced to decrease the risk of laminitis and other metabolic health concerns.