Effect of exercise and COPD crisis on isoprostane concentration in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in horses

To test whether isoprostanes could be used as markers of oxidative stress in horses, their concentration was determined in plasma and in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) in 3 models of oxidative stress: (1) strenuous exercise, (2) acute COPD crisis and (3) exercise combined with COPD crisis. Four horses were investigated twice, once in crisis and once in remission. The animals underwent a standardised treadmill exercise test. Isoprostane assessment was performed in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 24 h before and 1 h after exercise and in plasma also immediately after exercise. Exercise in remission induced a significant increase of isoprostanes in plasma and in PELF. In horses in crisis, the isoprostane concentrations did not increase in plasma, while they did increase in PELF. Lastly, exercise in crisis increased plasma levels of isoprostanes, but did not change PELF isoprostanes. In conclusion, 1) isoprostanes are increased by systemic oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise in COPD horses in remission either in PELF or in plasma; 2) only PELF and not plasma isoprostanes are increased by pulmonary oxidative stress induced by COPD crisis and 3) unexpectedly, exercise in crisis increased plasma but not PELF isoprostanes.