Funding-MEMO: SPECIAL RESEARCH CALL; June 1,
2015
The
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announces a special mid-year call for
research proposals on Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage.
The
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is issuing a call for proposals to further
investigate approaches to managing EIPH in the racehorse. The Research
Advisory Committee is particularly interested in new approaches to manage EIPH
and the description of their pathophysiologic effects with particular attention
on the short-term and long-term health of the horse. The investigative approach
will be left up to the investigator. Even though scientific
integrity is the predominant factor in the grant selection process, if the
investigator is not familiar with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation
grant evaluation process they need to pay particular attention to the
importance placed on “impact” in the grant scoring process.
The
proposals are due at the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation office June 1,
2015. This special call for research EIPH proposals will use the standard
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation grant proposal format found http://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=GRANTHOLD&menu=2.
Grant selection will be through the standard grant selection procedures of the
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee.
The
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (GJCRF) is committed to funding
research to enhance the health, safety, soundness and welfare of the horse.
Details may be reviewed below
.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announces
a special mid-year call for research proposals on Exercise Induced Pulmonary
Hemorrhage.
The Problem:
Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is an
increasingly important issue within North American racing, and between North
America and international racing and international breeding organizations. A
better understanding of the disease, the various management approaches and the
pathophysiology as related to those management approaches is a critical need
for the increasingly global racehorse industry.
The Opportunity:
At the end of the 2014 Emerald Downs racing season four
horses that were confirmed “bleeders” were offered by their trainer for lease
for the investigation of EIPH. A pilot project was conducted under the
supervision of Dr. Warwick Bayly of Washington State University.
A randomized 4X4 study was undertaken with the horses
at maximum exercise level on a treadmill. The four groups were 1) saline 4
hours pre-exercise (control) 2) furosemide 4 hours pre-exercise 3) furosemide
24 hours pre-exercise, the horses were allowed maintenance water and 4)
hypertonic saline 24 hours pre-exercise, the horses were allowed maintenance
water.
All horses bled; furosemide at four hours and at 24
hours were both effective at reducing EIPH. Hypertonic saline was also helpful,
but less than furosemide. Importantly, the pilot project suggested furosemide
at 24 hours prior to exercise was equal to, and in some parameters better than
furosemide at 4 hours pre-exercise. The finding of 24 hour furosemide efficacy
was consistent with anecdotal evidence provided by senior veterinary racetrack
practitioner advisors.
The Research Advisory Committee of the Grayson-Jockey
Club Research Foundation believes this pilot project provides justification for
a new avenue of investigation and an important opportunity for research into
the disease process of EIPH. The fact that the diuresis caused by furosemide
ceases within 1-2 hours, and the elimination half-life of furosemide is 5½
hours raises the question: “Why did the effect on EIPH persist for at least 24
hours?” Understanding of this 24 hour effect could open new avenues into the management
and possible prevention of the perplexing problem of EIPH in the racehorse.
The Call:
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is issuing
a call for proposals to further investigate approaches to managing EIPH in the
racehorse. The Research Advisory Committee is particularly interested in new approaches
to manage EIPH and the description of their pathophysiologic effects with
particular attention on the short-term and long-term health of the horse. The
investigative approach will be left up to the investigator. Even though
scientific integrity is the predominant factor in the grant selection process,
if the investigator is not familiar with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research
Foundation grant evaluation process they need to pay particular attention to
the importance placed on “impact” in the grant scoring process.
The proposals are due at the Grayson-Jockey Club Research
Foundation office June 1, 2015. This special call for research EIPH proposals
will use the standard Grayson- Jockey Club Research Foundation grant proposal
format found http://www.graysonjockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=GRANTHOLD&menu=2. Grant selection will be through the standard grant
selection procedures of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee.
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (GJCRF) is
committed to funding research to enhance the health, safety, soundness and
welfare of the horse.
We would
appreciate your circulating this information to any and all appropriate parties
within your institution. Also, please let us know of anyone else you believe
should receive this alert.
Sincerely,
Edward L.
Bowen
President
Grayson-Jockey
Club Research Foundation