Horse plasma protein changes in endurance horse

The definition of suitable new markers to evaluate the effects of physical exercise is one of the goals of equine medicine, aimed at improving current diagnostic procedures based on classic parameters which are inadequate for early diagnosis, training level tests and recognition of sub-clinical conditions. In order to get a global over-view of all the effects of exercise-induced stress on metabolic, hormonal and immune systems we decided to apply the proteomic approach. Proteomics provides the large-scale characterization of the entire protein complement of a cell, tissue or organism. In place of the classic biochemistry approach, which is focused on specific parameters, proteomics offers a total definition of all systems studied. It could be the best tool for early diagnosis and for the understanding of mutagenic pathologies. In particular we analysed the protein pattern of horse plasma during an endurance race. The changes of plasma protein profile we observed after physical exercise are related to immune system and stress response.