The effect of a pectin-lecithin complex on prevention of gastric mucosal lesions induced by feed deprivation in ponies

This study examined whether a product containing a pectinlecithin complex (Pronutrin) (1) could prevent gastric lesions induced in the equine gastric squamous epithelial mucosa using a protocol of intermittent feed deprivation that resulted in prolonged increased gastric acidity (Murray and Eichorn 1996). Eight ponies were used and served as their own controls in 2 trials in which there were 72 h cumulative deprivation (alternating 24 h with no feed, then 24 h free choice hay), with a 4-week interval between trials. Ponies were assigned randomly to receive either 250 g Pronutrin plus 200 g pelleted feed, or 450 g pelleted feed only. Ponies were conditioned to each treatment for 7 days and received Pronutrin and pellets or only pellets once daily during the feed deprivation protocol. Gastroscopy was performed at the beginning and conclusion of the feed deprivation protocol. The endoscopist (MJ.M.) was blinded as to treatments, and lesion severity was scored on a scale of 0-5. Gastroscopy revealed normal-appearing gastric mucosa at the beginning of feed deprivation, with the exception of 2 ponies which had focal squamous mucosal erosion and 1 pony with focal glandular mucosal erosion. After 72 h cumulative feed deprivation, each pony, except 1 pony in one of the trials, developed erosions or ulcers in the gastric squamous mucosa. There was no difference (P = 0.6) in the presence or severity of gastric lesions between treatments. Lesions did not develop in the gastric glandular mucosa as a result of the intermittent feed deprivation with either treatment. In this study, the pectin-lecithin complex in Pronutrin failed to prevent lesions in the gastric squamous mucosa induced by intermittent feed deprivation.