Plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers in previously laminitic ponies

Summary Reasons for performing study The mechanisms underlying individual animal predisposition to pasture‐associated laminitis remain unclear; however, chronic inflammation is implicated. Objectives To identify differences in the inflammatory profile of a group of previously laminitic ponies compared with control animals at pasture in late spring and winter. Methods Previously laminitic (PL; n = 38 and 42) and nonlaminitic control ponies (NL; n = 41 and 39) were sampled in late spring and winter. Body condition score, height, weight and crest height and thickness were measured. Plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α, serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, insulin, adiponectin, triglyceride, fibrinogen, interleukin‐17, interleukin‐4 and interferon‐γ were assayed by validated/standard methods. Factors independently associated with each cytokine were determined by multivariate analysis. Results Plasma [adiponectin] was significantly influenced by laminitis status, being lower in PL (median [interquartile range] 2.1[1.4–3.2] μg/l) than in NL ponies (3.4 [2.6–4.1] μg/l; P