Airway Lipid Mediators in Horses: Baseline Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Profiles and Effects of EPA and DHA-rich Microalgae Oil Supplementation.

EPA and DHA microalgae oil supplementation reduced BALF neutrophil percentages in horses, suggesting anti-inflammatory airway benefits.

This prospective field trial investigated the effects of dietary EPA and DHA supplementation via microalgae oil on airway inflammation and lipid mediator profiles in horses. Horses were assigned to three dietary groups, including an EPA- and DHA-enriched feed, for 7.5 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected before and after the feeding period and analyzed by cytology and LC-MS/MS for lipid mediators, while red blood cell fatty acids were assessed by gas chromatography. EPA and DHA supplementation was associated with reduced BALF neutrophil percentages—a key marker of airway inflammation and equine asthma—whereas neutrophil levels increased in unsupplemented controls. Supplementation successfully increased red blood cell EPA and DHA concentrations and improved the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio, confirming dietary incorporation. This study provides one of the first LC-MS/MS-based characterizations of BALF lipid mediator profiles in clinically healthy horses, revealing a predominance of DHA-derived lipid mediators and pathway markers at baseline. Notably, supplementation appeared to primarily enhance precursor availability rather than directly augmenting downstream production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). Seasonal variation was identified as a potential confounding factor, particularly influencing BALF maresins. These findings suggest that EPA- and DHA-rich microalgae oil supplementation may help modulate airway inflammation in horses, with implications for managing equine asthma.

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