A comparative review of vitamin E and associated equine disorders.

Abstract

Vitamin E is a primary chain-breaking antioxidant that prevents cyclic propagation of lipid peroxidation. Across species, vitamin E is essential for normal neuromuscular function by acting as a potent antioxidant, as well as by modulating the expression of certain genes, inhibiting platelet aggregation and stabilizing plasma membranes. This review focuses on vitamin E structure, absorption, metabolism, current equine dietary recommendations, the interplay between antioxidants and exercise, a discussion of the necessity of vitamin E supplementation in the horse above the Nutritional Research Council (NRC) 2007 requirements, and a review of equine diseases that are associated with a vitamin E deficiency. Particular emphasis is placed on the proteins involved in vitamin E absorption, transport, and metabolism as potential candidates for vitamin E-associated diseases across species.

• Authors: C J Finno, S J Valberg
• Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine (J Vet Intern Med) 2012 Nov-Dec Vol. 26 Issue 6 Pg. 1251-66 ISSN: 1939-1676 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22925200 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Vitamin E

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Horses
• Vitamin E (pharmacology)