FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire1995; 59(3); 205-212;

Assessment of glycosaminoglycan concentration in equine synovial fluid as a marker of joint disease.

Abstract: A modification of a colorimetric assay was used to determine synovial fluid total and individual sulphated-glycosaminoglycan concentration in various clinical presentations of joint disease in horses. Concentrations of synovial fluid and serum sulphated-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were measured by the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) dye assay in normal horses (n = 49), horses with acute (n = 26) or chronic (n = 27) joint disease (defined by clinical, radiographic, and clinicopathological parameters), and horses with cartilaginous lesions at diagnostic arthroscopy, but with normal radiographs and synovial fluid (n = 9). Horses with acute joint disease were subdivided into moderate acute (n = 21) and severe acute (n = 5) joint disease on the basis of synovial fluid analysis and clinical examination. Horses with chronic joint disease were subdivided into mild chronic (n = 9), moderate chronic (n = 10), and severe chronic (n = 8) joint disease on the basis of synovial fluid analysis, clinical examination, and radiographic findings. The concentrations of chondroitin sulphate (CS) and keratan sulphate (KS) were analyzed in each sample following sequential enzymatic digestion of the sample with chondroitinase or keratanase. In addition, the concentration of hyaluronate (HA) in each sample was determined by a colorimetric assay following digestion of the sample with microbial hyaluronidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1995-07-01 PubMed ID: 8521354PubMed Central: PMC1263767
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research evaluates the concentration of glycosaminoglycan, a large molecule found in cartilage, in the synovial fluid of horses as a potential marker for joint diseases. The researchers used a modified colour assessment to measure this concentration in horses with varying states of joint disease, from healthy to severe chronic conditions.

Research Methodology

  • The team used a modified version of a colorimetric assay to determine total and individual sulphated-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentrations in the synovial fluid of horses with different clinical presentations of joint disease.
  • These concentrations were measured using the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) dye.
  • The study observed a total of 111 horses, categorized into normal (n=49), acute joint disease (n=26), chronic joint disease (n=27), and those with cartilaginous lesions but normal radiographs and synovial fluid (n=9).
  • The horses with acute joint disease were further categorized into moderate acute (n=21) and severe acute joint disease (n=5) groups based on synovial fluid analysis and clinical examination.
  • Similarly, the horses with chronic joint disease were categorized into mild chronic (n=9), moderate chronic (n=10), and severe chronic (n=8) groups based on synovial fluid analysis, clinical examination, and radiographic findings.

Procedures and Biochemical Analysis

  • A specific part of this research was dedicated to the analysis of the concentrations of chondroitin sulphate (CS) and keratan sulphate (KS), both types of GAGs.
  • The concentrations were determined following sequential enzymatic digestion of the sample with relevant enzymes, namely chondroitinase for chondroitin sulphate, and keratanase for keratan sulphate.
  • Another consideration was the concentration of hyaluronate (HA) in each sample, determined by a colour assessment following digestion of the sample with microbial hyaluronidase. HA is also a type of GAG often associated with cartilage.

Purpose of the Research

  • The overarching goal of the research was to find a reliable biomarker for joint diseases, in this particular study for horses. By measuring the GAG concentration in the synovial fluid (fluid found in the cavities of joints), the researchers aim to identify patterns or changes equated with joint disease severity or progression. If successful, such markers could serve as useful tools in the early diagnosis, ongoing monitoring or potential treatment courses of joint diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Palmer JL, Bertone AL, McClain H. (1995). Assessment of glycosaminoglycan concentration in equine synovial fluid as a marker of joint disease. Can J Vet Res, 59(3), 205-212.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 3
Pages: 205-212

Researcher Affiliations

Palmer, J L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1089, USA.
Bertone, A L
    McClain, H

      MeSH Terms

      • Analysis of Variance
      • Animals
      • Biomarkers
      • Colorimetry
      • Glycosaminoglycans / metabolism
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / metabolism
      • Horses
      • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
      • Joint Diseases / diagnosis
      • Joint Diseases / metabolism
      • Joint Diseases / veterinary
      • Methylene Blue / analogs & derivatives
      • Synovial Fluid / metabolism

      References

      This article includes 18 references
      1. Castor CW, Prince RK, Hazelton MJ. Hyaluronic acid in human synovial effusions; a sensitive indicator of altered connective tissue cell function during inflammation.. Arthritis Rheum 1966 Dec;9(6):783-94.
        pubmed: 5297217doi: 10.1002/art.1780090606google scholar: lookup
      2. Mankin HJ, Lippiello L. The glycosaminoglycans of normal and arthritic cartilage.. J Clin Invest 1971 Aug;50(8):1712-9.
        pubmed: 4255496doi: 10.1172/JCI106660google scholar: lookup
      3. Nilsson G, Persson L. Changes in the synovial fluid of equine fetlock joints with lesions in the cartilage and joint capsule. A study in the standardbred horse.. Acta Vet Scand Suppl 1973;44(0):99-107.
        pubmed: 4529168
      4. Jourdian GW, Wolfman M, Sarber R, Distler J. A specific, sensitive method for the determination of hyaluronate.. Anal Biochem 1979 Jul 15;96(2):474-80.
        pubmed: 474972doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(79)90609-2google scholar: lookup
      5. Rowley G, Antonas KN, Hilbert BJ. Quantitation of hyaluronic acid in equine synovia.. Am J Vet Res 1982 Jun;43(6):1096-9.
        pubmed: 7103180
      6. Hilbert BJ, Rowley G, Antonas KN. Hyaluronic acid concentration in synovial fluid from normal and arthritic joints of horses.. Aust Vet J 1984 Jan;61(1):22-4.
        pubmed: 6704069doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1984.tb07125.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      7. Farndale RW, Buttle DJ, Barrett AJ. Improved quantitation and discrimination of sulphated glycosaminoglycans by use of dimethylmethylene blue.. Biochim Biophys Acta 1986 Sep 4;883(2):173-7.
        pubmed: 3091074doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(86)90306-5google scholar: lookup
      8. Saxne T, Heinegård D, Wollheim FA. Cartilage proteoglycans in synovial fluid and serum in patients with inflammatory joint disease. Relation to systemic treatment.. Arthritis Rheum 1987 Sep;30(9):972-9.
        pubmed: 3663262doi: 10.1002/art.1780300903google scholar: lookup
      9. Brandt KD. A pessimistic view of serologic markers for diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis. Biochemical, immunologic and clinicopathologic barriers.. J Rheumatol Suppl 1989 Aug;18:39-42.
        pubmed: 2681766
      10. Alwan WH, Carter SD, Bennett D, May SA, Edwards GB. Cartilage breakdown in equine osteoarthritis: measurement of keratan sulphate by an ELISA system.. Res Vet Sci 1990 Jul;49(1):56-60.
        pubmed: 1696390
      11. Little CB, Hilbert BJ, Wickstrom S, Hedlund BE. Quantitative microanalysis of equine synovial fluid glycosaminoglycan concentration.. Am J Vet Res 1990 Oct;51(10):1534-9.
        pubmed: 2240772
      12. Hardingham T, Bayliss M. Proteoglycans of articular cartilage: changes in aging and in joint disease.. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1990 Dec;20(3 Suppl 1):12-33.
        pubmed: 2287945doi: 10.1016/0049-0172(90)90044-ggoogle scholar: lookup
      13. Mehraban F, Finegan CK, Moskowitz RW. Serum keratan sulfate. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons in inflammatory versus noninflammatory arthritides.. Arthritis Rheum 1991 Apr;34(4):383-92.
        pubmed: 2012625doi: 10.1002/art.1780340403google scholar: lookup
      14. Alwan WH, Carter SD, Bennett D, Edwards GB. Glycosaminoglycans in horses with osteoarthritis.. Equine Vet J 1991 Jan;23(1):44-7.
        pubmed: 1901787doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02712.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      15. Caterson B. Immunological aspects of markers of joint disease.. J Rheumatol Suppl 1991 Feb;27:19-23.
        pubmed: 1709214
      16. Tulamo RM. Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography with a radiometric assay for determination of the effect of intra-articular administration of corticosteroid and saline solution on synovial fluid hyaluronate concentration in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1991 Dec;52(12):1940-4.
        pubmed: 1789505
      17. Todhunter RJ, Yeager AE, Freeman KP, Parente EJ, Lust G. Keratan sulfate as a marker of articular cartilage catabolism and joint treatment in ponies.. Am J Vet Res 1993 Jul;54(7):1007-16.
        pubmed: 8368593
      18. Fubini SL, Boatwright CE, Todhunter RJ, Lust G. Effect of intramuscularly administered polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on articular cartilage from equine joints injected with methylprednisolone acetate.. Am J Vet Res 1993 Aug;54(8):1359-65.
        pubmed: 8214910

      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
      1. Vedadghavami A, He T, Zhang C, Amiji SM, Hakim B, Bajpayee AG. Charge-based drug delivery to cartilage: Hydrophobic and not electrostatic interactions are the dominant cause of competitive binding of cationic carriers in synovial fluid. Acta Biomater 2022 Oct 1;151:278-289.
        doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.010pubmed: 35963518google scholar: lookup
      2. Guo JL, Kim YS, Xie VY, Smith BT, Watson E, Lam J, Pearce HA, Engel PS, Mikos AG. Modular, tissue-specific, and biodegradable hydrogel cross-linkers for tissue engineering. Sci Adv 2019 Jun;5(6):eaaw7396.
        doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7396pubmed: 31183408google scholar: lookup
      3. Broeckx SY, Martens AM, Bertone AL, Van Brantegem L, Duchateau L, Van Hecke L, Dumoulin M, Oosterlinck M, Chiers K, Hussein H, Pille F, Spaas JH. The use of equine chondrogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for osteoarthritis: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study. Equine Vet J 2019 Nov;51(6):787-794.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.13089pubmed: 30815897google scholar: lookup
      4. Vendruscolo CDP, Moreira JJ, Seidel SRT, Fülber J, Neuenschwander HM, Bonagura G, Agreste FR, Baccarin RYA. Effects of medical ozone upon healthy equine joints: Clinical and laboratorial aspects. PLoS One 2018;13(5):e0197736.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197736pubmed: 29813093google scholar: lookup
      5. Lima M, Rudd T, Yates E. New Applications of Heparin and Other Glycosaminoglycans. Molecules 2017 May 6;22(5).
        doi: 10.3390/molecules22050749pubmed: 28481236google scholar: lookup
      6. Moreira JJ, Moraes AP, Brossi PM, Machado TS, Michelacci YM, Massoco CO, Baccarin RY. Autologous processed plasma: cytokine profile and effects upon injection into healthy equine joints. J Vet Sci 2015;16(1):47-55.
        doi: 10.4142/jvs.2015.16.1.47pubmed: 25269714google scholar: lookup
      7. Antonacci JM, Schmidt TA, Serventi LA, Cai MZ, Shu YL, Schumacher BL, McIlwraith CW, Sah RL. Effects of equine joint injury on boundary lubrication of articular cartilage by synovial fluid: role of hyaluronan. Arthritis Rheum 2012 Sep;64(9):2917-26.
        doi: 10.1002/art.34520pubmed: 22605527google scholar: lookup
      8. Wong BL, Kim SH, Antonacci JM, McIlwraith CW, Sah RL. Cartilage shear dynamics during tibio-femoral articulation: effect of acute joint injury and tribosupplementation on synovial fluid lubrication. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2010 Mar;18(3):464-71.
        doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.11.008pubmed: 20004636google scholar: lookup
      9. Korac L, St George L, MacNicol J, McCrae P, Jung L, Golestani N, Karrow N, Cánovas A, Pearson W. Functional and biochemical inflammatory responses to low-dose intra-articular recombinant equine IL-1β: a pilot study. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1746738.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1746738pubmed: 41624292google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.