Autohemotherapy increases phagocytic activity of neutrophils and promotes cytokine production by lymphocytes in horses

Autohemotherapy (AHT) is a procedure in which blood is collected by venipuncture, followed by immediate reinjection to activate an animal’s immune system. In this preliminary study, we evaluated the effect of AHT on clinical, hematological and biochemical parameters and immune responses in horses. Eight healthy animals (four males and four females) were clinically evaluated and subjected to AHT (three applications at a weekly interval). Blood samples were collected before AHT (T0) and 3 d after each procedure (T1, T2, and T3). AHT did not affect most clinical, biochemical, and hematological parameters in the test animals. However, flow cytometry detected an increase in T lymphocytes (CD3+) and cytokine production (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-6). In addition, AHT stimulated phagocytosis by neutrophils at T3. Although preliminary, our results suggest that AHT is a promising procedure for equine management, as AHT was found to stimulate the horses’ immune responses without affecting their general status.