Arthroscopic evaluation of the synovial membrane and its relationship with histological changes and biomarkers in equine joint disease.
Abstract: The synovial membrane (SM) presents itself with distinctive characteristics during arthroscopic procedures in cases of osteoarthritis (OA) as well as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in horses. Most of the arthroscopic findings of the SM are limited to a description of a nonspecific inflammation state. In the present study, the macroscopic and histological aspects of the SM in OA and OCD horses were compared to those of healthy horses. The expression of interleukin (IL) in SM was also investigated. Besides, the concentrations of ILs and keratan sulfate (KS) in the synovial fluid (SF), and the molecular weights of the SF hyaluronic acid (HA) were also determined and correlated to the macroscopic and histological aspects of SM. This study included 10 healthy horses (control group), 12 horses with OA, and 12 with OCD. Macroscopic scores of the SM were higher in the OA group in comparison to the control and OCD groups. However, histological scores between OA and OCD were not different, and both were higher than the control group. Only in the OA group, there was a correlation between macroscopic and histological aspects of the SM, especially between volume and quantity of villi with perivascular inflammatory cells and synovial proliferation. The OA group has shown decreased expression of IL-10 in the SM, lower IL-10 and KS, and higher IL-1β and IL-6 in the SF in comparison to the control and OCD groups. There was a significant negative correlation between the macroscopic aspect of the SM and the molecular weights AH in the OA group. There was no correlation between the macroscopic aspect of the SM and all dosages in the OA and OCD group. In the OA joints, the evaluation of the shape of the SM during arthroscopy promotes a better indicator for joint inflammatory or tissue repair processes, while in the osteochondritic joints, investigation of the histological aspects are recommended to rule out an incipient OA development process. Both are helpful and should be considered to guide the postoperative treatment.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-09-08 PubMed ID: 34534902DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.09.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the relationship between the physical and histological attributes of the synovial membrane (SM) and biomarkers present in the synovial fluid (SF) in horses suffering from osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans. The study found that the state of the SM provides important diagnostic information that can help improve postoperative treatment for these conditions.
Research Methodology and Groups
The researchers observed three groups of horses for their study:
- The control group was comprised of 10 healthy horses.
- The OA group included 12 horses with osteoarthritis.
- The OCD group had 12 horses suffering from osteochondritis dissecans.
Study Findings
The following are the major outcomes of the study:
- Macroscopic observation (viewed with the naked eye) of the SM showed higher scores in the OA group as compared to the control and OCD groups.
- However, there was no significant difference within the histological scores (microscopic analysis of tissue) between the OA and OCD groups and both were higher than the control group.
- Only in the OA group was a correlation found between the macroscopic and histological aspects of the SM, specifically between volume and number of villi with perivascular inflammatory cells and synovial proliferation.
- The OA group demonstrated a decrease in the expression of the anti-inflammatory Interleukin (IL)-10 in the SM, lower levels of IL-10 and keratan sulfate (KS, a key component of cartilage), and higher levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 in the SF compared to the control and OCD groups.
- There was a significant negative correlation between the physical state of the SM and the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid (HA, a critical component of joint fluid) in the OA group.
Implications and Conclusions
Based on these findings, researchers concluded that:
- For horses with OA, an evaluation of the SM shape during arthroscopy can provide a better indicator of joint inflammation or tissue repair processes.
- In OCD horses, a histological examination will give a better idea about the incipient development of OA.
- These findings can provide useful insights that can help devise better postoperative treatment strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Agreste FR, Moreira JJ, Fülber J, Bogossian PM, Chaible LM, Silva LCLC, Michelacci YM, Baccarin RYA.
(2021).
Arthroscopic evaluation of the synovial membrane and its relationship with histological changes and biomarkers in equine joint disease.
Res Vet Sci, 140, 212-220.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.09.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Três de Maio, 100, Vila Clementino, 04044020 São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508270 São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: baccarin@usp.br.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Synovial Fluid
- Synovial Membrane
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Baccarin RYA, Seidel SRT, Michelacci YM, Tokawa PKA, Oliveira TM. Osteoarthritis: a common disease that should be avoided in the athletic horse's life. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):25-36.
- Martinez-Saez L, Marín-García PJ, Llobat ML. Osteochondrosis in horses: An overview of genetic and other factors. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):6-19.
- Riley JW, Chance LM, Barshick MR, Johnson SE. Administration of sodium hyaluronate to adult horses prior to and immediately after exercise does not alter the range of motion in either the tarsus or metacarpophalangeal joints. Transl Anim Sci 2024;8:txae153.
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