China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (1): 276-286.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.01.025

• Physiological and Biochemical • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Exercise on Plasma and Fecal Metabolomes in Turkmen Horses and Their Correlation Analysis

LIU Shasha1(), LI Wenfang2, ZHANG Zhaoxin1, XIANG Shuangyun1, FU Jingtao1()   

  1. 1.Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture,Beijing 100031,China
    2.Dongfang Madu (Tianjin) Co. ,Ltd. ,Tianjin 300074,China
  • Received:2025-05-12 Online:2026-01-05 Published:2025-12-26
  • Contact: FU Jingtao E-mail:80135@bvca.edu.cn;71715@bvca.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study was to elucidate the dynamic changes and correlations between the plasma and fecal metabolomes before and after exercise in Turkmen horses, identify potential metabolic biomarkers and key pathways, and provide a scientific basis for evaluating exercise adaptation in Turkmen horses. Method Ten healthy Turkmen horses were selected for 1 h standardized exercise training, plasma and fecal samples were collected pre-exercise and post-exercise within 30 min. Untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was employed for sample analysis. A partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was established to screen differential metabolites. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess plasma-fecal metabolite associations. Result After exercise, plasma exhibited significant alterations in 106 metabolites (47 upregulated,59 downregulated),with lipid metabolites predominating. Upregulated plasma metabolites included fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) (e.g., FAHFA (18∶1/18∶2)), palmitic acid, and decanoylcarnitine. Downregulated metabolites were represented by 12-oxophytodienoic acid. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the differential metabolites were significantly enriched in the fatty acid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolic pathways. 52 differential metabolites were identified in fecal analysis (8 upregulated, 44 downregulated). Adrenic acid FAHFA (17∶0/18∶0) and kynurenic acid were significantly upregulated in feces, while carbohydrates, short-chain fatty acid precursors, and amino acid metabolites were decreased. Trans-petroselinic acid and 2-ketohexanoic acid were also significantly downregulated. Fecal differential metabolites were primarily enriched in the valine/leucine/isoleucine biosynthesis pathway. A significant positive correlation between plasma and fecal adrenic acid levels was identified by cross-tissue correlation analysis(r=0.92, P<0.05). Furthermore, six FAHFAs, such as FAHFA (18∶1/18∶2), accumulated significantly in plasma, while fecal FAHFA (17∶0/18∶0) level concurrently increased. Plasma oxidized lipids and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) increased synchronously, and the anti-inflammatory metabolite kynurenic acid was upregulated in feces. Conclusion Energy metabolism in Turkmen horses after exercise was characterized by fatty acid dominance and amino acid supplementation. Accumulation of oxidized lipids in plasma could induce oxidative stress. Concurrent elevation of adrenic acid in both plasma and feces, along with cross-tissue regulation of anti-inflammatory metabolites like FAHFAs and kynurenic acid, suggested a coordinated multi-tissue defense mechanism against exercise stress. Decreased fecal levels of energy metabolites such as trans-petroselinic acid and 2-ketohexanoic acid imply enhanced intestinal absorption supporting energy demands. This study had for the first time discovered the cross-tissue response characteristics of FAHFA metabolites, providing novel targets for the development of metabolic markers and anti-fatigue strategies.

Key words: Turkmen horse; metabolome; gut-blood axis; energy metabolism; inflammatory response

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