Expression of matrix metalloproteases-2 and -9 in horse hoof laminae after intestinal obstruction, with or without Hydrocortisone treatment/Expressao de metaloproteinases 2 e 9 no tecido laminar do casco de equinos apos obstrucao intestinal e tratamento com hidrocortisona

Twenty horses were used in the experiment, for composed control group, (Cg) instrumented group, (Ig; without intestinal obstruction), treated group (Tg; submitted to intestinal obstruction and hydrocortisone treatment) and non-treated group (Ntg; submitted to intestinal obstruction without treatment). Immunohistochemistry and zymography techniques were used for researches on MMPs 2 and 9 in horse hoof laminae. There was an increase in the expression of MMP-2 in animals of Tg and Ntg. MMP-9 increased on animals from groups Ntg and Ig, however there was no rise of this MMP on the Tg when compared to the other groups in the immunohistochemistry analysis. Based on the results, it was observed that the intestinal injury caused by enterotomy and intestinal obstruction raise the quantities of MMPs in the hoof laminae. Key words: laminitis, metalloprotease, horse, zymography, immunohistochemistry. Vinte cavalos foram usados no experimento: para compor o grupo controle (Cg), grupo instrumentado, Ig (sem obstrucao intestinal), grupo tratado, Tg (submetidos a obstrucao intestinal e tratamento com hidrocortisona) e grupo nao tratado, Ntg (submetidos a obstrucao intestinal, sem tratamento. Tecnicas de zimografia e imunoistoquimica foram utilizadas para pesquisa de MMP-2 e MMP-9 no tecido laminar do casco dos equinos. Houve um aumento na expressao de MMP-2 nos animais dos grupos Tg e Ntg. A MMP-9 aumentou nos animais dos grupos Ig e Ntg. Houve aumento desta MMP no Tg quando comparado aos demais grupos na analise por zimografia. Observou-se que a injuria intestinal, causada pela enterotomia e obstrucao intestinal, eleva a quantidade de MMPs no tecido laminar do casco. Palavras-chave : laminite, metaloproteinases, equinos, zimografia, imunoistoquimica.