Effects of dietary oils on the development of gastric ulcers in mares.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess antiulcerogenic properties of 3 dietary oils. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult mares. PROCEDURE A protocol to induce gastric ulcers was used and included 240 mL of water plus corn oil, refined rice bran oil, or crude rice bran oil administered each day for 6 weeks according to a 4 x 4 Latin square randomized crossover design with 5-week washout intervals. A 7-day alternating feed deprivation period was included between weeks 5 and 6. Omeprazole was administered daily for the last 14 days of each washout interval. Endoscopic examinations of the stomach were performed at 0, 5, and 6 weeks, and the number (0 to 4 scale) and severity (0 to 5 scale) of ulcers were scored. Gastric fluid was collected at 0 and 5 weeks. RESULTS: Median body weight significantly increased by 29 kg (range, 10 to 50 kg). Mean +/- SE gastric fluid pH significantly decreased from 4.9 +/- 0.4 to 3.1 +/- 0.3 over 5 weeks, and total volatile fatty acid concentration significantly decreased over time. Mean +/- SE severity of nonglandular ulcers significantly increased from 0.4 +/- 0.1 to 1.2 +/- 0.2 over 5 weeks. Nonglandular ulcers significantly increased in number (mean +/- SE, 1.3 +/- 0.2 to 3.0 +/- 0.2) and severity (mean +/- SE, 1.2 +/- 0.2 to 2.6 +/- 0.2) during the 7-day alternating feed deprivation period. No effects of treatment were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this model dietary oils did not prevent gastric ulcers from forming in the nonglandular portion of the stomach of horses.