Dynamic of cytokine gene transcription (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) in surgically treated colic horses by use of real-time PCR (RT-PCR)

Horses are highly sensitive to endotoxemia and its complications. During systemic inflammatory response syndromes such as seen in colic, acute phase proteins and cytokines enter into the circulation. In this study, gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) were quantified using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in 15 adult horses undergoing colic surgery at different points of time (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours), before and after surgical intervention. Gene expression of TNF-α was down-regulated while gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 were up-regulated in the first 12 hours. This study shows that RT-PCR is reliable and sensitive method for detection of the changes in cytokines serum levels in horses with colic. This study demonstrated the presence of inflammatory processes mediated by cytokines upon admission of horses for medical treatment before surgical intervention.