Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is an organosulfur compound used in equine medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is commonly applied topically or administered intravenously to manage conditions such as swelling, inflammation, and pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. DMSO is known for its ability to penetrate biological membranes, which facilitates the transport of other medications when used as a carrier. Additionally, it has been studied for its effects on reducing oxidative stress and modulating immune responses in horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, mechanisms of action, and safety considerations of DMSO in equine veterinary practice.
Zetterström S, Groover E, Lascola K, Cole R, Velloso A, Boone L.A five-year-old Thoroughbred mare was evaluated because of chronic, malodorous, unilateral nasal discharge, and suspected maxillary cheek tooth root abscess. Skull radiographs revealed bilateral sinusitis suspected secondary to tooth root abscessation of 109 and 210. Following oral extraction of 109, bilateral conchofrontal sinus trephination and lavage; fever, tachycardia, and cervical stiffness developed. A lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid tap was performed, and a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was made. Targeted therapy consisted of antibiotic treatment with penicillin, enrofl...
Mitchell A, Rivas KA, Smith R, Watts AE.Equine superficial digital flexor tendon injury is a well-accepted model of human tendon injury and is routinely treated with local injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Identification of a clinically safe medium for short-term cryopreservation of MSCs prior to cell implantation would streamline laboratory and clinical procedures for autologous regenerative therapies. Veterinary experience with short-term (MSCs prepared after the injury has occurred) cryopreserved MSCs in naturally occurring injury in the horse will be of value to human practitioners. Methods: Equine bone mar...
Zinchenko AV, Govorova YS.Critical to the understanding the mechanism of destruction and protection during cryopreservation of biological objects is the knowledge of the conformational transitions of biopolymers experiencing low temperatures in the presence of cryoprotective agents. This information may be derived from the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of macromolecular thermal denaturation kinetics under different environmental conditions. Objective: The study deals with the influence of cryoprotective agents (glycerol, 1.2-propanediol (1.2-PD), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) on thermodynamic and kinetic parame...
Kardak A, Leibo SP, Devireddy R.The rate at which equine and macaque ovarian tissue sections are first cooled from +25 degrees C to +4 degrees C has a significant effect on the measured water transport when the tissues are subsequently frozen in 0.85 M solutions of glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or ethylene glycol (EG). To determine whether the response of ovarian tissues is altered if they are suspended in mixtures of cryoprotective agents (CPAs), rather than in solutions of a single CPA, we have now measured the subzero water transport from ovarian tissues that were suspended in mixtures of DMSO and EG. Sections of fr...
Lin HC, Johnson CR, Duran SH, Waldridge BM.To evaluate the cardiopulmonary and clinicopathologic effects of rapid IV administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in awake and halothane-anesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: Horses received IV infusion of 5 L of a balanced electrolyte solution with and without 1 g/kg (0.45 g/lb) of 10% DMSO solution when they were awake and anesthetized with halothane (4 treatments/horse). Arterial and venous blood samples were collected immediately before and at intervals during or after fluid administration and analyzed for blood gases and hematologic and ser...
Douwes RA, van der Kolk JH.The use of dimethyl sulphoxide in equine medicine is discussed with special reference to trauma of the central nervous system, chronic endometritis, trauma of the locomotor apparatus, and ischaemic bowel pathophysiology. The ability of dimethyl sulphoxide to reduce connective tissue formation might be of interest in abdominal surgery. The anti-inflammatory effect of dimethyl sulphoxide is used in the treatment of muscle trauma, tendinitis, laminitis, and arthritis. Dimethyl sulphoxide can potentiate the effects of other drugs. The most common dose is 1 g/kg body weight intravenously up to a 40...
Southwood LL, Baxter GM.Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Ball MA, Rebhun WC, Gaarder JE, Patten V.To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in horses in the northeastern United States. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: 9 horses (10 affected eyes). Methods: All horses treated for keratomycosis at Cornell University between July 1994 and July 1996 were included in the study. The diagnosis of keratomycosis was confirmed by cytologic examination, and all horses were treated with 0.25 ml of a 1% itraconazole-30% dimethyl sulfoxide petrolatum-based ointment, applied to the affected eye every 4 hours. Results: Topical applicati...
Auer DE, Ng JC, Seawright AA.Topically applied copper phenylbutazone, phenylbutazone, copper salicylate, salicylate and dimethylsulfoxide glycerol (80:20) were investigated as anti-inflammatory agents in rats and horses. Dimethylsulfoxide and glycerol (80:20) or dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol and glycerol (60:20:20) were used as the drug solvents. Subcutaneously administered carrageenin was used to induce inflammatory oedema, either in the paws of rats or the alar fold of the horse. The severity of the oedema and the anti-inflammatory effect of the drugs were assessed by measuring changes in the paw or alar-fold diameters. Co...
Reeves MJ, Vansteenhouse J, Stashak TS, Yovich JV, Cockerell G.A study was undertaken to evaluate the significance and mechanism of reperfusion injury in the equine large colon following 1 h of haemorrhagic strangulation obstruction (HSO) or ischaemic strangulation obstruction (ISO) and to assess the effect of treatment with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). ISO or HSO were created 40 cm from the pelvic flexure and maintained for 60 mins under general anaesthesia. Normal saline or 20 per cent DMSO (1 g/kg bodyweight) was administered intravenously 10 mins prior to the end of the ischaemic period. Four groups of four horses in a 2 x 2 factorial design were used....
Ley WB, Bowen JM, Sponenberg DP, Lessard PN.The effects upon equine endometrial histological features produced by 10 to 30% concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in sterile saline were compared with the effects of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) alone as an intrauterine infusion therapy in 16 barren mares. No harmful histological changes were noted (P>0.05) as a result of the therapy. Thirty percent intrauterine DMSO therapy produced a significant (P0.05); however, there was a trend toward a higher pregnancy rate following DMSO therapy. The inability to control for sire variability in the breeding trials may have contributed toward ...
Arden WA, Stick JA, Parks AH, Chou CC, Slocombe RF.Physiologic effects of 1 hour of ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion on equine jejunum and protective effects of systemic administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 1 g/kg of body weight) were investigated in 18 ponies, using neurally intact segments of jejunum perfused at constant flow with heparinized blood. Ponies were allotted to 4 groups: group 1, saline solution administered (control, n = 3); group 2, DMSO administered (DMSO, n = 3); group 3, ischemia induced and saline solution administered (ischemia, n = 6); and group 4, ischemia induced and DMSO administered (ischemia-DMSO, n = 6). In...
Frazer GS, Rossol TJ, Threlfall WR, Weisbrode SE.Endometrial fibrosis is a major cause of infertility in broodmares. Because of the proven anti-inflammatory effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and its influence on collagen, the effect of DMSO on the endometrium was investigated in mares. Solutions of DMSO (25%, 50%, or 75%) were infused into the uterus of clinically normal mares. Examination of serially obtained biopsy specimens revealed epithelial ulceration and stromal inflammation that were proportional to the DMSO concentration infused, but vasodilatation was not observed. In all mares, the endometrium had returned to normal by day 21 a...
Brayton CF.Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a very simple compound that has stimulated much controversy in the scientific and popular literature. Fig. 1 It is an aprotic solvent. Therapeutic and toxic agents that are not soluble in water are often soluble in DMSO. DMSO has a very strong affinity for water; on exposure to air, pure DMSO is rapidly diluted. DMSO's physiologic and pharmacologic properties and effects are incompletely understood. Properties that are considered to be particularly important to its therapeutic and toxic effects include: its own rapid penetration and enhanced penetration of other su...
Brayton CF.Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a very simple compound that has stimulated much controversy in the scientific and popular literature. Fig. 1 It is an aprotic solvent. Therapeutic and toxic agents that are not soluble in water are often soluble in DMSO. DMSO has a very strong affinity for water; on exposure to air, pure DMSO is rapidly diluted. DMSO's physiologic and pharmacologic properties and effects are incompletely understood. Properties that are considered to be particularly important to its therapeutic and toxic effects include: its own rapid penetration and enhanced penetration of other su...
Mitchell A, Rivas KA, Smith R, Watts AE.Equine superficial digital flexor tendon injury is a well-accepted model of human tendon injury and is routinely treated with local injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Identification of a clinically safe medium for short-term cryopreservation of MSCs prior to cell implantation would streamline laboratory and clinical procedures for autologous regenerative therapies. Veterinary experience with short-term (MSCs prepared after the injury has occurred) cryopreserved MSCs in naturally occurring injury in the horse will be of value to human practitioners. Methods: Equine bone mar...
Kardak A, Leibo SP, Devireddy R.The rate at which equine and macaque ovarian tissue sections are first cooled from +25 degrees C to +4 degrees C has a significant effect on the measured water transport when the tissues are subsequently frozen in 0.85 M solutions of glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or ethylene glycol (EG). To determine whether the response of ovarian tissues is altered if they are suspended in mixtures of cryoprotective agents (CPAs), rather than in solutions of a single CPA, we have now measured the subzero water transport from ovarian tissues that were suspended in mixtures of DMSO and EG. Sections of fr...
Ley WB, Bowen JM, Sponenberg DP, Lessard PN.The effects upon equine endometrial histological features produced by 10 to 30% concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in sterile saline were compared with the effects of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) alone as an intrauterine infusion therapy in 16 barren mares. No harmful histological changes were noted (P>0.05) as a result of the therapy. Thirty percent intrauterine DMSO therapy produced a significant (P0.05); however, there was a trend toward a higher pregnancy rate following DMSO therapy. The inability to control for sire variability in the breeding trials may have contributed toward ...
Auer DE, Ng JC, Seawright AA.Topically applied copper phenylbutazone, phenylbutazone, copper salicylate, salicylate and dimethylsulfoxide glycerol (80:20) were investigated as anti-inflammatory agents in rats and horses. Dimethylsulfoxide and glycerol (80:20) or dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol and glycerol (60:20:20) were used as the drug solvents. Subcutaneously administered carrageenin was used to induce inflammatory oedema, either in the paws of rats or the alar fold of the horse. The severity of the oedema and the anti-inflammatory effect of the drugs were assessed by measuring changes in the paw or alar-fold diameters. Co...
Reeves MJ, Vansteenhouse J, Stashak TS, Yovich JV, Cockerell G.A study was undertaken to evaluate the significance and mechanism of reperfusion injury in the equine large colon following 1 h of haemorrhagic strangulation obstruction (HSO) or ischaemic strangulation obstruction (ISO) and to assess the effect of treatment with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). ISO or HSO were created 40 cm from the pelvic flexure and maintained for 60 mins under general anaesthesia. Normal saline or 20 per cent DMSO (1 g/kg bodyweight) was administered intravenously 10 mins prior to the end of the ischaemic period. Four groups of four horses in a 2 x 2 factorial design were used....
Ball MA, Rebhun WC, Gaarder JE, Patten V.To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in horses in the northeastern United States. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: 9 horses (10 affected eyes). Methods: All horses treated for keratomycosis at Cornell University between July 1994 and July 1996 were included in the study. The diagnosis of keratomycosis was confirmed by cytologic examination, and all horses were treated with 0.25 ml of a 1% itraconazole-30% dimethyl sulfoxide petrolatum-based ointment, applied to the affected eye every 4 hours. Results: Topical applicati...
Frazer GS, Rossol TJ, Threlfall WR, Weisbrode SE.Endometrial fibrosis is a major cause of infertility in broodmares. Because of the proven anti-inflammatory effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and its influence on collagen, the effect of DMSO on the endometrium was investigated in mares. Solutions of DMSO (25%, 50%, or 75%) were infused into the uterus of clinically normal mares. Examination of serially obtained biopsy specimens revealed epithelial ulceration and stromal inflammation that were proportional to the DMSO concentration infused, but vasodilatation was not observed. In all mares, the endometrium had returned to normal by day 21 a...
Southwood LL, Baxter GM.Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Arden WA, Stick JA, Parks AH, Chou CC, Slocombe RF.Physiologic effects of 1 hour of ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion on equine jejunum and protective effects of systemic administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 1 g/kg of body weight) were investigated in 18 ponies, using neurally intact segments of jejunum perfused at constant flow with heparinized blood. Ponies were allotted to 4 groups: group 1, saline solution administered (control, n = 3); group 2, DMSO administered (DMSO, n = 3); group 3, ischemia induced and saline solution administered (ischemia, n = 6); and group 4, ischemia induced and DMSO administered (ischemia-DMSO, n = 6). In...
Lin HC, Johnson CR, Duran SH, Waldridge BM.To evaluate the cardiopulmonary and clinicopathologic effects of rapid IV administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in awake and halothane-anesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: Horses received IV infusion of 5 L of a balanced electrolyte solution with and without 1 g/kg (0.45 g/lb) of 10% DMSO solution when they were awake and anesthetized with halothane (4 treatments/horse). Arterial and venous blood samples were collected immediately before and at intervals during or after fluid administration and analyzed for blood gases and hematologic and ser...
Douwes RA, van der Kolk JH.The use of dimethyl sulphoxide in equine medicine is discussed with special reference to trauma of the central nervous system, chronic endometritis, trauma of the locomotor apparatus, and ischaemic bowel pathophysiology. The ability of dimethyl sulphoxide to reduce connective tissue formation might be of interest in abdominal surgery. The anti-inflammatory effect of dimethyl sulphoxide is used in the treatment of muscle trauma, tendinitis, laminitis, and arthritis. Dimethyl sulphoxide can potentiate the effects of other drugs. The most common dose is 1 g/kg body weight intravenously up to a 40...
Zetterström S, Groover E, Lascola K, Cole R, Velloso A, Boone L.A five-year-old Thoroughbred mare was evaluated because of chronic, malodorous, unilateral nasal discharge, and suspected maxillary cheek tooth root abscess. Skull radiographs revealed bilateral sinusitis suspected secondary to tooth root abscessation of 109 and 210. Following oral extraction of 109, bilateral conchofrontal sinus trephination and lavage; fever, tachycardia, and cervical stiffness developed. A lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid tap was performed, and a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was made. Targeted therapy consisted of antibiotic treatment with penicillin, enrofl...
Zinchenko AV, Govorova YS.Critical to the understanding the mechanism of destruction and protection during cryopreservation of biological objects is the knowledge of the conformational transitions of biopolymers experiencing low temperatures in the presence of cryoprotective agents. This information may be derived from the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of macromolecular thermal denaturation kinetics under different environmental conditions. Objective: The study deals with the influence of cryoprotective agents (glycerol, 1.2-propanediol (1.2-PD), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) on thermodynamic and kinetic parame...
