Tandem mass tag-based proteomic analysis in saliva of horses with acute abdominal disease

The objective of the study was to analyze the changes in proteomics that occur in saliva in acute abdominal disease (AAD) by proteomics in order to identify new proteins that could allow gaining knowledge about the physiopathological changes that can occur in this fluid and identify possible new biomarkers of acute abdominal disease. Samples from two groups of horses were analyzed by TMT proteomic analysis: - Diseased horses (n=7; 4 stallions and 3 mares; mean age = 8 years (range 1-18); Andalusians (n=5) and crossbred (n=2)). Presence of AAD was diagnosed based on history, physical examination (abdominal auscultation, rectal examination and nasogastric intubation) and additional diagnostic tests incl. complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry profile, abdominal ultrasound and or abdominocentesis. Final diagnoses were impaction of ascending colon (n=3), right dorsal colon displacement (n=2) and spasmodic colon (n=2). - Healthy horses (n=6, 3 geldings, 2 stallions and 1 mare; mean age = 12 years (range 4-15); Andalusians (n=4) and crossbred (n=2)). Horses were found healthy based on history, clinical examination, CBC and serum biochemistry profile. These procedures were approved by the ethical committee of the University of Murcia (CEEA 288/2017).