Effect of Thiamine Pyrophosphate (Bicarbossilasi®) Administration on the Exercising Horse Metabolism

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is the phosphorylated and active form of thiamine (Vitamin B1). We hypothesized that the administration of thiamine in its immediately available active form could provide the metabolic pathways for a supplement able to promote the metabolism of ketoacids and to reduce lactate accumulation in exercising horses. Ten horses were conditioned for 20 days to daily standardized exercise. All horses underwent a first “stress test” (ST) consisting in 1,200 meters at maximum speed on track, and were checked before and after for clinical and clinical pathology parameters. After the ST, the same animals were administered TPP (Bicarbossilasi®, Teknofarma S.p.A., Torino, Italy), 1 mg/Kg b.w., I.V., twice daily for seven days. At the end of treatment, a second stress test (STTPP) was performed. Post-exercise serum lactate concentration resulted in significantly lower levels (p< 0.05) after treatment with TPP (ST vs STTPP). These data suggest that supplementation with thiamine in its active form improves glucose metabolism and prevents lactate accumulation in muscle, enhancing aerobic capacity and metabolic pathways of glucose utilization during exercise.