Abstract: The use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in orthopedic practice has recently and rapidly acquired an important role. Therapies based on the use of MSCs for the treatment of acute injuries as well as chronic inflammatory disorders are gradually becoming clinical routine. These cells have demonstrated intriguing therapeutic potentialities (i.e.: inflammation control, tissue regeneration and pathological scar prevention), that have been taken into consideration for use in both human and veterinary medicine. In particular, horses represent high performance athletes considered models for human pathologies since musculo-skeletal disorders frequently occur in this species. In the past, repair of tendon injures were performed by different methods. In particular, clinical therapy was based on ice application, bandage, box rest and controlled exercise. An alternative approach consisted on the use of corticosteroid (inflammation reduction) and other drugs (sodium hyaluronate, polysulphated glycosaminoglycans, beta aminoproprionitrile fumarate). Furthermore, surgical treatments like accessory ligament desmotomy, local irritation by line firing or pin firing were commonly used. More recently ultrasound, laser therapy, electromagnetic field therapy have been considered. Unfortunately, they did not allow complete tissue healing and quite often animals did not regain competitiveness. In order to minimize this inconvenience, the use of MSCs has been introduced as an alternative to the traditional approach since it represents a potential tool to improve tissue regeneration. Aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of MSCs to improve the functional outcome of horses affected by tendonitis and desmitis. Thirty-three breed and activity-matched horses affected by tendonitis or desmitis, were included in clinical trial scored for lesions and subdivided into two groups. Group 1 animals were treated with autologous MSCs, associated with platelet rich plasma (group 1). Bone marrow samples were collected from the sternum of the treated horses and processed in order to isolate MSCs. Following cell therapy, they were subjected to a rehabilitation period and their ability to resume training was evaluated. In this study, implanted MSCs caused no adverse reactions and thirteen out of the eighteen inoculated horses returned to race competitions. On the contrary, no improvement was seen in the twelve animals of group 2 treated with pin firing, that were not able to resume sport activity. In conclusion the clinical trial proves the safety of equine bone-marrow derived MSCs and a successful outcome of the treated animals that returned to their previous level of sport activity.
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.
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.
The research paper is about the use of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), derived from horse bone marrow, in the treatment of tendonitis and desmitis in horses, showing promising results compared to traditional treatments.
Research Context and Objectives
The study begins by highlighting the rising importance and potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in orthopedic practice. Their ability to control inflammation, stimulate tissue regeneration, and prevent pathological scarring has attracted researchers’ interest in the field of both human and veterinary medicine.
As high-performance athletes, horses are prone to musculo-skeletal disorders, making them a suitable model for such studies.
The researchers aimed to test the effectiveness of MSCs in improving functional outcomes for horses suffering from tendonitis and desmitis, conditions previously treated with varied methods, none of which ensured complete tissue healing or return to competitive performance.
Study Design and Methodology
The study involved thirty-three horses, all breed and activity-matched, suffering from tendonitis or desmitis.
The horses were divided into two groups. Group 1 received a treatment of autologous MSCs associated with platelet-rich plasma. The MSCs were derived from bone marrow samples collected from the horses’ sternum.
Group 2 horses, on the other hand, were treated with traditional methods using pin firing.
Post-treatment, horses underwent a rehabilitation phase and their ability to resume training was evaluated.
Results & Conclusions
The researchers found that the implanted MSCs caused no adverse reactions. From the eighteen horses that were treated with this method, thirteen of them were able to return to competitive racing, which is a significant success rate.
In stark contrast, none of the horses from Group 2, who were treated with pin firing, saw any improvement or could resume sport activity. This significant difference showed the potential benefits of using MSCs in treating these conditions over traditional methods.
In conclusion, the research demonstrated the safety and efficacy of using equine bone-marrow derived MSCs in treating equine musculo-skeletal disorders such as tendonitis and desmitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Renzi S, Riccò S, Dotti S, Sesso L, Grolli S, Cornali M, Carlin S, Patruno M, Cinotti S, Ferrari M.
(2013).
Autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells for regeneration of injured equine ligaments and tendons: a clinical report.
Res Vet Sci, 95(1), 272-277.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.01.017
Dec P, Żyłka M, Burszewski P, Modrzejewski A, Pawlik A. Recent Advances in the Use of Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering and Adjunct Therapies for Tendon Reconstruction and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024 Apr 19;25(8).
Yuan Z, Yu H, Long H, Dai Y, Shi L, Zhao J, Guo A, Diao N, Ma L, Yin H. Stem Cell Applications and Tenogenic Differentiation Strategies for Tendon Repair. Stem Cells Int 2023;2023:3656498.
El-Husseiny HM, Mady EA, Helal MAY, Tanaka R. The Pivotal Role of Stem Cells in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 21;9(11).
Harman RM, Marx C, Van de Walle GR. Translational Animal Models Provide Insight Into Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) Secretome Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021;9:654885.
Ribitsch I, Baptista PM, Lange-Consiglio A, Melotti L, Patruno M, Jenner F, Schnabl-Feichter E, Dutton LC, Connolly DJ, van Steenbeek FG, Dudhia J, Penning LC. Large Animal Models in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: To Do or Not to Do. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020;8:972.
Walter SG, Randau TM, Hilgers C, Haddouti EM, Masson W, Gravius S, Burger C, Wirtz DC, Schildberg FA. Molecular and Functional Phenotypes of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Depend on Harvesting Techniques. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jun 19;21(12).
Sultana T, Lee S, Yoon HY, Lee JI. Current Status of Canine Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine. Stem Cells Int 2018;2018:8329174.
Imam MA, Holton J, Horriat S, Negida AS, Grubhofer F, Gupta R, Narvani A, Snow M. A systematic review of the concept and clinical applications of bone marrow aspirate concentrate in tendon pathology. SICOT J 2017;3:58.
Gibson MA, Brown SG, Brown NO. Semitendinosus myopathy and treatment with adipose-derived stem cells in working German shepherd police dogs. Can Vet J 2017 Mar;58(3):241-246.
Di Ianni F, Merli E, Burtini F, Conti V, Pelizzone I, Di Lecce R, Parmigiani E, Squassino GP, Del Bue M, Lucarelli E, Ramoni R, Grolli S. Preparation and application of an innovative thrombocyte/leukocyte-enriched plasma to promote tissue repair in chelonians. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0122595.