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  Discussion on Pectin / Lecithin Mixture for Gastric Ulcers
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New Member:
jenszeze

Posted on Friday, Nov 18, 2016 - 1:41 am:

Hi I'm very new to the site, however have enjoyed reading and learning from previous discussions.

I have a horse with grade 1 gastric ulcers (2). He's currently on omeprazole for 28 days to heal those, however I would like to supplement that with the Lecithin / Pectin to hopefully assist in the healing and prevent future ulcers.

I know its a previously discussed topic; the use of lecithin and pectin for ulcer treatment/prevention.

I read all the previous discussions and Dr O's article and found the dosage to be 50g Lecithin/Pectin mixture to 100kg bodyweight. However it didn't state what the Lecithin to Pectin ratio/mix was. I'm unclear on how much of each to mix together to obtain the 50g mixture per 100kg bodyweight.

I read in one discussion; one person state they were supplementing 2 cups Lecithin and 2TBSP Pectin which is 250g mixture for her 500kg horse. Which I believe would be a 16:1 (Lecithin:Pectin) mix ratio.

In another discussion; a person stated they were going to feed 300g mixture at a 50/50 blend (150g Lecithin & 150g Pectin) Which would be a 1:1 (Lecithin:Pectin) mix ratio.

Can someone or Dr O clarify this for me?

I weighed the Lecithin (1 cup = 130g) and the Pectin (1TBSP = 8g) that I have.

Thanks in advance.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 19, 2016 - 5:44 am:

Welcome Jennifer,
The question of the efficacy of pectin / lecithin supplement continues to have conflicting results, here are two recent examples of this conflict:

Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2015 Sep-Oct;128(9-10):345-9.
Impact of diet on 24-hour intragastric pH profile in healthy horses.
Damkel C, Snyder A, Uhlig A, Coenen M, Schusser GF.
Abstract
An electrode incorporated into a polyethylene hose was introduced under endoscopic control into the stomach of six fasting adult horses for long-lasting pH measurements. The intragastric pH was recorded every four seconds for a period of 24 hours. The Warmblood horses were assigned randomly to receive hay ad libitum (H group); 1.5 kg hay/100 kg BW/day and 1 kg concentrate/100 kg BW/ day (C group) or protocol C plus 75 g pectin-lecithin supplement/100 kg BW/day (P group). The horses were adapted to each diet for 14 days. The 24-hour median pH value for protocol H (2.69) was significantly lower compared to protocol C (3.35) and P (3.44) (p < 0.05). The horses in protocol P had a significant higher percentage (40.1 %) of 24-hour intragastric pH values = 4 than in protocol C (36.2 %) or in protocol H (25.3 %) (p < 0.05).

Vet Rec. 2014 Aug 9;175(6):147. doi: 10.1136/vr.102359. Epub 2014 May 12.
Efficacy of a pectin-lecithin complex for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses.
Sanz MG1, Viljoen A2, Saulez MN3, Olorunju S4, Andrews FM5.
Author information


Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercial feed supplement containing pectin-lecithin on squamous mucosa ulceration in horses exposed to an experimental ulceration model. Five mares were treated while five mares were controls for this crossover, blinded study. The mares were fed concentrates and hay and were stabled with a two-hour turn out per day for a period of four weeks. The pectin-lecithin complex was fed for the duration of the study on the treated group. At the end of a four-week period, all mares underwent a seven-day alternating feed deprivation (week 5). The study was repeated again after a four-week washout period. Gastroscopy was performed on days 1, 28 and 35 of the study and was digitally recorded. Independent evaluation of the recordings and scoring of the lesions using the Equine Gastric Ulcer SynDrOme (EGUS), severity and number scores were performed by three experienced gastroscopists. The prevalence and severity of squamous ulcers significantly increased after intermittent feed deprivation (P<0.001).>0.05). In this study, the addition of a commercially available pectin-lecithin complex to the feed of horses for five weeks did not prevent or minimise the risk for gastric ulceration of the squamous mucosa.

In the first study it was associated with a rise is the ph of the stomach but in the other no effect on ulcers was seen. Certainly one of the weakest parts of these experiments is they do not look at dose related effects just using a commercial product. One of the most commonly mentioned is Pronutrin and here is some information I found on the internet that I have not been able to verify:

EQUITOP PRONUTRIN®
Equitop Pronutrin® maintains gastric health and provides extra nutrition in various
conditions, e.g. loss of weight.
Equitop Pronutrin® contains 77% Apolectol®, a patented combination of fruit and
vegetable fibre, glycerol and lecithin
When to use Equitop Pronutrin®?
Equitop Pronutrin® can be administered prior to, or during periods: when high
performance is required, when feeding high levels of concentrates, changing types of
feed, when feed is reduced, during transportation, weaning of foals or during rank
conflicts in the herd. Equitop Pronutrin® can be given before or during competitions. It
does not contain any doping relevant substances.
Feeding recommendations:
Standard feeding is 50g Equitop Pronutrin per 100kg bodyweight daily for a minimum
of 28 days. (Scoop included measures from 50g to 125g in 25g increments). One
container is sufficient for an average sized horse for 14 days. If you have questions
regarding the suitability of use consult your veterinarian.

Racehorses and trotters:
The recommended quantity of Equitop Pronutrin® should be fed prior to
training/racing. Other mature horses: The recommended quantity of Equitop
Pronutrin® should be mixed with normal grain or supplement ration of the horse’s diet
and split equally between feedings. Example: If the horse is fed twice daily mix half the
recommended daily quantity of Equitop Pronutrin® in the morning feed and the second
half in the evening feed. If the horse is reluctant to eat Equitop Pronutrin® start with
half the recommended daily quantity and gradually increase this over the next 2 to 3
days until recommended amount is reached. Foals: For suckling foals the
recommended quantity of Equitop Pronutrin® is mixed with 3 times the quantity of
lukewarm water. Leave the mixture for 2-3 minutes and then feed the foal by placing a
syringe or bottle directly into its mouth.
Composition:
Dried fruit and vegetable pulp (66%), sugar (20%), apple extract (2%).
Additives:
Lecithin (9%), glycerol (2%), natural flavours (<1%), ethoxyquin (90 ppm).
Crude fibre 12%, crude fat 7.5%, crude protein 6%, crude ash 4%, magnesium 0.2%,
sodium 0.0%.
Directions for Storage:
Always store with the lid properly closed. Product should be kept in a dry place and not
exposed to direct sunlight. Caution: Keep out of reach of children. For animal use only.
Not for human consumption
This is not a veterinary medicine which is subject to authorisation by the Irish
Medicines Board.
Distributor in the UK/ROI:
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Bracknell, Berks, RG12 8YS, UK
A division of Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd

I hope this helps you out.
DrO
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