Pirfenidone, a unique experimental drug with anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, afforded no apparent therapeutic benefit in horses with experimentally-induced endotoxemia, leaving Cal Davis researchers rather disappointed.

“Previous studies led us to believe that pirfenidone would minimize the effects of circulating lipopolysaccharide and inhibit the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha in endotoxic horses,” explained lead researcher Melinda MacDonald, DVM, PhD, from the departments of surgery and radiology at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Endotoxemia is a leading cause of morbidity and is associated with high mortality rates in horses of all ages