Oxidative stress in the Caspian Pony and it's amelioration by Vitamins E & C

Most of the studies in oxidative stressed horses, showed that , supplementation with vitamins E & C would ameliorate production of oxygen derived free radicals and decrease or stop oxidative stress in the exercising horses.The aims of this research which is the first report in the oxidative stressed Caspian pony, were to find out the possible relation between the physical exercise and oxidative stress and amelioration of oxidative stress by vitamins E, C and a combination of these two vitamins. Sixteen healthy Caspian ponies,that the mean age of the ponies was 8.5 years and their mean weight was 220 kg, were used for 21 days in this study. The ponies were divided into four groups : A, B, C and D. The ponies in group1(control group) were fed with the normal ration (oat and alfalfa), and the ponies in groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed with normal ration (as in group 1) plus vitamin E, C and a combination of Vitamins E C respectively. The ponies in all four groups were exposed to physical stress(700 m speed race) and blood samples were taken before the stress (at time zero, before the onset of the 700 m race) and after the physical stress.Creatin kinase, Asparate amino transferase, Glutathion peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, and vitamins E and C were assessed using HPLC, semiautomated analyzer and spectrophotometer respectively.The results showed the highly significant effects of Vitamins E and C and E C on reducing oxidative stress in exercising Caspian ponies.