Study points to adiponectin pathway in equine laminitis

Adiponectin receptor agonists reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in cultured equine lamellar cells, according to a new in vitro study published in Equine Veterinary Journal by researchers including Marine A. Barnabé, Jonathan Elliott, Nicola J. Menzies-Gow, Simon R. Bailey, Nicholas J. Bamford, Yu-Mei Chang, and Matthew C. Gage. The team reported that AdipoRon, AICAR, and adiponectin each lowered markers of stress induced by pharmacologic agents in lamellar cells, pointing to adiponectin signaling as a possible therapeutic target in endocrinopathic laminitis. The findings build on earlier work linking endoplasmic reticulum stress to naturally occurring endocrinopathic laminitis and to broader metabolic dysfunction in horses. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinarians, the study adds another mechanistic lead in a disease area with no registered drug specifically approved for endocrinopathic equine laminitis. Prior research has shown that lamellar tissue from horses with naturally occurring endocrinopathic laminitis expresses endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, and other experimental work has explored receptor-targeted approaches such as IGF-1R blockade in hyperinsulinemic laminitis. This new paper doesn't show clinical efficacy, but it suggests that reducing lamellar cellular stress through adiponectin receptor pathways could eventually complement prevention strategies centered on insulin dysregulation, weight management, and early hoof support. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What to watch: The next step is whether these in vitro findings can be replicated in ex vivo or in vivo laminitis models, with dosing, safety, and clinical relevance still to be established. (eceim-congress.com)