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Diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder characterized by obesity, insulin dysregulation (ID), and an increase in the risk of laminitis, a painful condition that can lead to euthanasia in severe cases. Diagnosing EMS is challenging and often relies on clinical history including obesity, difficulty in losing weight, and recurring episodes of laminitis. The gold standard for laboratory support of an EMS diagnosis is the identification of ID, being basal insulin the simplest and most accessible method. However, various factors such as diet, age, stress, season, and testing protocols can influence results. Dynamic tests like the oral sugar test (OST) are preferred but present limitations due to low sensitivity and poor repeatability. These diagnostic challenges make EMS difficult to detect in veterinary medicine highlighting the need for an effective method of the early detection of EMS to prevent laminitis and its associated complications.
Grants
Development of a protein based diagnostic test for equine metabolic syndrome: application in the prevention of laminitis (2021-2023). Funded by Waltham foundation (UK). 25.000 £. PI: Guadalupe Gómez Baena
Búsqueda de marcadores proteícos para el diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico en caballos (1380873-F) (2022). Funded by Fondos FEDER-UCO/Junta de Andalucía 2014-2020. 35.000 €. PI: Guadalupe Gómez Baena
Publications
MOLINA-LÓPEZ, A.M., PASCIU, V., BARALLA, E., GÓMEZ-BAENA, G. eds. (2026) Innovations in veterinary diagnostics for enhancing animal health and welfare. Lausanne: Frontiers Media S.A. DOI: 10.3389/978-2-8325-8776-8.
ESPINOSA-LÓPEZ, E.M.*, ORTIZ-GUISADO, B., RANGEL-ZUÑIGA, O.A., LÓPEZ-LOZANO, A.; DIEZ DE CASTRO, E.; AGUILERA-TEJERO, E.; GÓMEZ-BAENA, G*. 2026. Circulating microRNAs as potential predictive biomarkers of equine metabolic syndrome. The Veterinary Journal. 318:106764. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106764. *Joint corresponding
ESPINOSA-LÓPEZ, E.M., ORTIZ-GUISADO, B., DIEZ DE CASTRO, E., DURHAM, A., AGUILERA-TEJERO, E., GÓMEZ-BAENA, G. (2025) Quantitative proteomics unveils potential plasma biomarkers and provides insights into the pathophysiological mechanims underlying equine metabolic syndrome. BMC Veterinary Research, 21, 425. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04879-6.
Doctoral Theses
Discovery of biomarkers for metabolic diseases in the horse. Elisa M. Espinosa López. 2026. Cum Laude
The role of circulating extracellular vesicles in the establishment and progression of equine metabolic syndrome. Beatriz Ortiz Guisado. In progress.
Master´s degree projects
Characterization of the glycemic and lipidic profiles assiciated with metabolic disorders in horses. Laura García. Master´s Degree in Biotechnology. 2025/26.
Biomarkers for the diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome. Beatriz Ortiz Guisado. Master´s Degree in Biotechnology. 2021/22.
Proteomics applied to the discovery of biomarkers for equine metabolic syndrome. Elisa M. Espinosa López. Master´s Degree in Biotechnology. 2019/20.
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