Topic:Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) in horses is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of articular cartilage, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation. This condition can result in pain, reduced mobility, and impaired performance in affected animals. Osteoarthritis is commonly observed in athletic horses due to repetitive joint stress, but it can also occur in older horses as part of the natural aging process. Diagnosis typically involves clinical examination, imaging techniques such as radiography or MRI, and sometimes synovial fluid analysis. Management strategies focus on alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and slowing disease progression through pharmacological treatments, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical interventions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of osteoarthritis in equine patients.
Evidence to suggest that cathepsin K degrades articular cartilage in naturally occurring equine osteoarthritis. The mechanisms leading to degeneration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) are complex and not yet fully understood. Cathepsin K (CK) is a cysteine protease which can also cleave the triple helix of type II collagen. This exposes a neoepitope that can now be identified by specific antibodies. The aim of this study was to obtain evidence suggesting a role for CK in naturally occurring equine OA in both lesional and peri-lesional regions. Methods: Articular cartilages (n=12 horses; 5 healthy, 7 OA) were harvested from animals postmortem. A gross macroscopic examination, histologic (Saf...
Effects of exercise vs experimental osteoarthritis on imaging outcomes. To identify changes in imaging outcomes in a controlled model of osteoarthritis (OA) vs exercise. Methods: Sixteen 2-year-old horses were randomly assigned to an exercise control (n=8) or an exercise OA (n=8) group. All horses had middle carpal joints arthroscopically explored and an osteochondral fragment was induced in one middle carpal joint of the OA group. All horses were treadmill exercised for the duration of the study (91 days). Clinical, radiographic, nuclear scintigraphic, computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed and outcomes of these were...
Changes in synovial fluid and serum biomarkers with exercise and early osteoarthritis in horses. To discriminate between changes in biomarkers with exercise compared to changes in biomarkers with osteoarthritis (OA) in exercising horses. Methods: Sixteen, 2-year-old horses were randomly assigned either to an exercise-alone (n=8) or OA-affected (also exercised) (n=8) group. All horses had both mid-carpal joints arthroscoped and OA induced in one mid-carpal joint in the OA-affected joints of OA-affected horses. Two weeks after surgery all horses commenced a strenuous exercise program on a high-speed treadmill. Clinical outcomes and synovial fluid and serum biomarkers, were evaluated weekly....
MT3-MMP (MMP-16) is downregulated by in vitro cytokine stimulation of cartilage, but unaltered in naturally occurring equine osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis. Matrix degradation by metalloproteinases is considered a key feature in the loss of articular cartilage seen in many joint diseases. Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MT3-MMP) expression is elevated in human cartilage in end-stage osteoarthritis. We investigated whether MT3-MMP is similarly regulated in cartilage in two naturally occurring arthropathies in vivo and whether proinflammatory cytokines regulate its expression in vitro. MT3-MMP expression was evaluated in cartilage from horses with osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis and compared with age- and site-matched normal cartilage. ...
Suspected primary scapulohumeral osteoarthritis in two Miniature ponies. Two cases of severe scapulohumeral osteoarthritis in Miniature ponies are described, one bilateral and the other unilateral. The condition is thought to occur in miniature breeds as a result of scapulohumeral dysplasia. The presentation in one of the ponies was unusal: it refused to pick up either fore limb, with progression to a uniquely bizarre gait with narrow forelimb placement, an arched back and widely placed hindlimbs camped well forward under the body. The other pony was presented for an acute unilateral non-weight bearing forelimb lameness. Response to analgesia in both cases was poor...
Multiple pathways to osteoarthritis and articular fractures: is subchondral bone the culprit? Osteoarthritis and articular fractures are commonly responsible for early retirement from athletic performance. The subchondral bone (SCB) in those conditions is being recognized as an integral component in their pathophysiology. Early recognition of these potentially career-ending diseases may require understanding of the progression of changes occurring in SCB with time and exercise.
1H NMR investigation of normal and osteo-arthritic synovial fluid in the horse. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) has been successfully used in the study of many biological fluids. The data presented here report on the metabolic profiles of normal equine synovial fluids compared with osteoarthritic (OA) fluids. Twenty-five OA synovial fluid samples and eight normal ones were collected from the forelimb fetlock joint in 22 horses, aged between five and 24 years. 1H NMR spectroscopy was carried out with a Bruker Avance DRX 500 equiped with a cryo-magnet working at 11 Tesla, and 'Mestre-C 4.9.9.6' software was used to analyze the spectra. The study assessed the...
Osteogenic gene regulation and relative acceleration of healing by adenoviral-mediated transfer of human BMP-2 or -6 in equine osteotomy and ostectomy models. This study evaluated healing of equine metatarsal osteotomies and ostectomies in response to percutaneous injection of adenoviral (Ad) bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, Ad-BMP-6, or beta-galactosidase protein vector control (Ad-LacZ) administered 14 days after surgery. Radiographic and quantitative computed tomographic assessment of bone formation indicated greater and earlier mineralized callus in both the osteotomies and ostectomies of the metatarsi injected with Ad-BMP-2 or Ad-BMP-6. Peak torque to failure and torsional stiffness were greater in osteotomies treated with Ad-BMP-2 than Ad-B...
Comparison of efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. To compare efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 253 client-owned horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Methods: Horses were treated with firocoxib (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg [2 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 14 days. Physical examinations and lameness evaluations were performed prior to treatment and after 7 and 14 days. Clinical improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 1 lameness grade or a combined...
Determination of MMP-2 and -9 activities in synovial fluid of horses with osteoarthritic and arthritic joint diseases using gelatin zymography and immunocapture activity assays. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 activities have been found elevated in synovial fluid from various joint diseases in man. However, in the horse few data are available. Objective: To explore the clinical significance of MMP-2 and -9 activities in synovial fluid of horses with different forms of joint diseases. Methods: Gelatin zymography and MMP-2 and -9 immunocapture activity assays were applied on synovial fluids from control joints and joints with aseptic joint disease (AJD) and septic arthritis (SA). Additionally, MMP-2 and -9 activities were measured in samples from SA to monitor...
Evaluation of autologous chondrocyte transplantation via a collagen membrane in equine articular defects: results at 12 and 18 months. To evaluate a technique of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) similar to the other techniques using cell-seeded resorbable collagen membranes in large articular defects. Methods: Autologous cartilage was harvested arthroscopically from the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur in fifteen 3-year-old horses. After culture and expansion of chondrocytes the newly created ACI construct (autologous chondrocytes cultured expanded, seeded on a collagen membrane, porcine small intestine submucosa) was implanted into 15mm defects on the medial trochlear ridge of the femur in the opposite femoropat...
Differential anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of simulated digests of indomethacin and an herbal composite (Mobility) in a cartilage explant model of articular inflammation. Herbs are an increasingly popular treatment option for horses with cartilage inflammation, despite a relative paucity of research demonstrating efficacy. The research objective was to evaluate the differential anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective efficacy of a simulated digest of indomethacin and a commercially available herbal product in a cartilage model of osteoarthritis. Cartilage explant was integrated with simulated digestion of indomethacin and the herbal product in order to account, at least in part, for the actions of major digestive enzymes and pH. The resulting digests were ultra...
Retrospective study of the effect of intra-articular treatment of osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints in 51 horses. Osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints, affecting the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints, is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. This paper describes the outcome of the intra-articular treatment of 51 horses with the condition with either methylprednisolone acetate (mpa) or triamcinolone acetonide (tr), either with or without hyaluronic acid (ha). The outcome was assessed in terms of the changes in the horses' grade of lameness. Follow-up information was obtained from the owners by means of a telephone questionnaire. Horses treated once with mpa or tr, either with or withou...
Determination and use of mechanical nociceptive thresholds of the thoracic limb to assess pain associated with induced osteoarthritis of the middle carpal joint in horses. To establish reference mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) values of the equine thoracic limb and to assess the use of MNT values to detect pain associated with induced osteoarthritis in the middle carpal joint. Methods: 24 adult horses. Methods: MNT values were evoked by a pressure algometer at 17 sites within each thoracic limb during 2 baseline sessions conducted an average of 5 days apart. Effects of age, sex, weight, and wither height on MNT values were assessed separately for each site. Tolerance of horses to the procedure was graded subjectively and correlated with MNT values. Synovi...
The contribution of the synovium, synovial derived inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common and disabling chronic joint disorders affecting horses, dogs and humans. Synovial inflammation or synovitis is a frequently observed phenomenon in osteoarthritic joints and contributes to the pathogenesis of OA through formation of various catabolic and pro-inflammatory mediators altering the balance of cartilage matrix degradation and repair. Catabolic mediators produced by the inflamed synovium include pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E(2) and several neuropeptides, which further contribute to the pathogenesis of OA by incr...
Determination of glucosamine in horse plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Glucosamine is an amino sugar involved in the biosynthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Recently, with increased public interest in natural products medicine, glucosamine has been widely used to treat osteoarthritis, even though demonstrations of its actual efficacy remain relatively unknown. Information related to the pharmcokinetics of glucosamine is sparse. A recent analytical method published used 13C-glucosamine as an internal standard to analyse study samples. The method lacked accuracy owing to an important natural isotopic contribution of glucosamine to 13C-glucosamine ion abun...
Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor in synovial fluid from horses with carpal joint pathology. The carpal joints are common sites of traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis (OA) in athletic horses. The pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) may be of great importance in the development of intra-articular lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between synovial fluid levels of bioactive IL-6 and TNF and different types of joint lesions seen in traumatic arthritis and OA. Synovial fluid was collected from horses with carpal lameness immediately before arthroscopic surgery. Articular cartilage, synovial membranes...
Measurement of equine myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in synovial fluid by a modified MPO assay and evaluation of joint diseases – an initial case study. The aim of this study was to develop a specific myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay in the synovial fluid of horses and investigate whether MPO activity is increased in different forms of joint diseases. Synovial fluid samples were taken from affected joints from horses with osteoarthritis, chronic non-septic arthritis and septic arthritis, and from healthy control horses. MPO activity was measured using a specific modified o-dianisidine-assay containing 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide as a potent and specific inhibitor of the MPO. This assay is characterized by high reproducibility. The result...
Subchondral bone density and cartilage degeneration patterns in osteoarthritic metacarpal condyles of horses. To evaluate and correlate patterns of subchondral bone density and articular cartilage degeneration (derived by use of gross, histologic, and computed tomographic [CT] examinations) in equine third metacarpal condyles with and without osteoarthritis. Methods: 8 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints (n = 4 horses) without osteoarthritis and 6 osteoarthritis-affected MCP joints (4). Methods: Horses were euthanized. The third metacarpal condyles of the joints were examined grossly and via CT (3 slice images/condyle). For 6 condylar zones, mean bone density and pattern of density distribution were dete...
Xenogenic bone matrix extracts induce osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Colloss and Colloss-E are sterile acellular lyophilizates extracted from bovine and equine bone matrix, respectively. Animal and clinical studies have shown that these xenogenic bone matrix extracts (BMEs) are effective as bone graft substitutes. In this report, we investigated the effect of Colloss and Colloss-E on human adult in vitro-expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Specifically, we assessed whether these xenogenic BMEs induced osteoblastic differentiation of cultured BMMSC. We show that BMMSCs treated with either Colloss or Colloss-E exhibited characteristic os...
A simplified method of determining synovial fluid chondroitin sulfate chain length. To determine whether dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) analysis, when combined with agarose gel filtration chromatography (Superose 6), can be performed instead of fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) to determine chondroitin sulfate (CS) chain length in synovial fluid (SF). Methods: SF was obtained from (1) normal horses after 8 weeks of rest, (2) the same horses after 9 months of treadmill training, and (3) horses with osteochondral (OC) injury from racing. SF CS concentrations and chain lengths were determined by gel chromatography and DMMB analysis and compared with previou...
Calcium signaling leads to mitochondrial depolarization in impact-induced chondrocyte death in equine articular cartilage explants. Chondrocyte apoptosis is an important factor in the progression of osteoarthritis. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved upstream of caspase 9 activation and, in particular, calcium signaling and mitochondrial depolarization. Methods: Articular cartilage explants obtained from healthy horses were subjected to a single impact load (500-gm weight dropped from a height of 50 mm) and cultured in vitro for up to 48 hours. Chondrocyte death was quantified by the TUNEL method. Release of proteoglycans was determined by the dimethylmethylene blue assay. Weight change was measured, and ...
Hsp90 mediates insulin-like growth factor 1 and interleukin-1beta signaling in an age-dependent manner in equine articular chondrocytes. Many metabolic processes in chondrocytes thought to contribute to age-related changes in the extracellular matrix are influenced by known roles of Hsp90. Age-related decreases in the level of Hsp90 have been documented in numerous cell types and could contribute to cartilage degeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of age and Hsp90 in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) signaling in chondrocytes. Methods: Levels of Hsp90 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, with respect to age, were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain rea...
Evaluation of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable extracts for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. To evaluate the use of a combination of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable (ASU) extracts for the treatment of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses. Methods: 16 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced via osteochondral fragmentation in 1 middle carpal joint of each horse; the other joint underwent a sham operation. Horses were randomly allocated to receive oral treatment with ASU extracts (1:2 [avocado-to-soybean] ratio mixed in 6 mL of molasses; n = 8) or molasses (6 mL) alone (placebo treatment; 8) once daily from days 0 to 70. Lameness, response to joint flexion, synovial eff...
Reliability of a quantitative rating scale for assessment of horses with distal tarsal osteoarthritis. Various radiographic rating scales have been described for use in horses with distal tarsal osteoarthritis but little information is available on their reliability. The aim of this study was to develop a radiographic rating scale based on the results of an expert consultation process (the Delphi process), and to test the reliability of the radiographic rating scale. Seven radiographic features were identified as important indicators of distal tarsal osteoarthritis and these were then incorporated in the radiographic rating scale, which used a 100-mm-long visual analog scale. On two occasions n...
Cytokine and chemokine gene expression of IL-1beta stimulated equine articular chondrocytes. To evaluate mRNA expression of several proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in equine unstimulated and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-stimulated chondrocytes. Methods: In vitro experiment using equine chondrocyte cultures. Methods: Whole articular cartilage from metacarpophalangeal joints (n=5 horses; 10 fetlocks). Methods: Chondrocyte monolayer cultures were established from digested adult equine articular cartilage and stimulated with 5 ng/mL of recombinant human IL-1beta. RNA was extracted from the cells 24 hours after stimulation. IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor n...
Correlation between routine radiographic findings and early racing career in French trotters. The relationship between the presence of radiological abnormalities and subsequent racing performance is controversial. However, as training is expensive and time consuming, it would save time and money to identify subjects with osteo-articular lesions not compatible with a normal racing career on the basis of routine radiographic screenings at yearling age. Objective: To evaluate the impact of osteo-articular lesions on racing ability in French Trotters and identify radiographic changes associated with failure in 'qualification', in order to provide objective criteria for selection of horses ...
Double blind investigation of the effects of oral supplementation of combined glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCL) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) on stride characteristics of veteran horses. Oral chondroprotective supplements are commercially popular for veteran (and other athletic or arthritic) horses prone to joint degeneration, yet lack conclusive scientific support. Objective: To quantify the effects of an oral joint supplement (combination glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCL), chondroitin sulphate (CS) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) in vivo on stride parameters of veteran horses. Methods: Twenty veteran horses were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 15) or placebo group (n = 5). Pre-treatment gait characteristics were recorded at trot using digital video footage (50 Hz). The rang...
Assessment of cartilage degradation effects of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in equine cartilage cocultured with synoviocytes. To determine the effects of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, compared with interleukin (IL)-1alpha, on cartilage matrix molecule gene expression in a coculture system of equine cartilage explants and synoviocytes. Methods: Articular cartilage and synovium specimens harvested from femoropatellar joints of 4 horses, aged 3 to 5 years. Methods: Synoviocytes were isolated and cocultured with cartilage explants. Cultures were treated with human recombinant MMP-13 (1, 25, or 100 ng/mL) or IL-1alpha (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 10 ng/mL) for 96 hours, with medium exchange at 48 hours. Cartilage extracts and...
Alteration of distal tarsal subchondral bone thickness pattern in horses with tarsal pain. Understanding of the development of pathology and source of pain in distal tarsal osteoarthritis is poorly understood. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used in the analysis of human osteoarthritis (OA) because it is sensitive to early changes. Objective: In association with distal tarsal joint (DTJ) pain, there will be an alteration in the characteristic subchondral bone (SCB) thickness pattern of horses with no history of pain when subjected to low-level exercise. Methods: Sixteen cadaver tarsal joints were collected from 9 mature horses with a history of tarsal pain and radiographic evide...