Serum Heat Shock Protein (HSP70) Changes In Horses After An Acute Exercise

Heat shock proteins (HSP) play critical roles in the body’s self-defense under a variety of stresses. In particular, HSP70 is a key regulator of normal physiological processes including physical exercise. Exercise is associated with transient increases of HSP expression in rodents, humans and horses, but so far little is presently known about the effects of acute high-intensity exercise or training on the release of HSP70 in the blood of horses. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acute exercise as racehorse intensive training and gallop race on serum HSP70 levels. The research was carried out on 12 trained horses performing regularly training and gallop race. Serum HSP70 levels were analyzed by ELISA assay before and immediately after the end of both training and gallop race sessions. Results showed significant increased levels of serum HSP70, both after the end of the whole training session and gallop race, compared to basal values. A physiological stress associated with acute physical exercise seems to activate HSP70 pathway also in horses, suggesting the presence of an adaptation process to a stress of a novel homeostatic condition. Further investigations, at different times after the end of the exercise, could be useful to understand if HSP70 may be considered a new approach to monitoring exercise training and adaptive mechanisms in horses.