Autologous conditioned serum in equine and human orthopedic therapy: A systematic review.

This research is a comprehensive review of studies on the use of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) in treating orthopedic injuries in humans and horses. The findings show that while ACS has potential benefits, there are inconsistencies in results and a lack of well-designed studies, thus calling for cautious use of ACS in this therapeutic context.

Objective of the Research

• The research aimed to compile and present a systematic review on the effectiveness of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) in healing ligament, tendon, and joint injuries in humans and horses. The analysis focused on assessing the consistency and reliability of reported outcomes across different studies.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted an extensive literature search using various databases such as Medline, PubMed, Embase, Bireme, and Google Scholar up to August 2020. The selected studies involved the use of ACS in treating human orthopedic injuries and were classified as Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), cohort, and case-control studies.
• The researchers also included all studies involving ACS therapy in horse medicine due to the scarcity of such studies. The selection process prioritized controlled pre-clinical experimental studies.

Findings

• A total of 1,474 studies were found, out of which 126 were accessed fully, and 28 met the inclusion criteria. In vitro studies failed to consistently demonstrate positive qualities and effects of ACS, suggesting some inconsistencies in the prevailing body of literature.
• However, the majority of clinical trials and observational studies showed a beneficial response related to the administration of ACS, thereby indicating its potential for therapeutic application.

Limitations and Implications

• Despite the promising findings, most of the RCTs and observational studies exhibited a high risk of bias, ranging from unclear to high, with only a few studies deemed low risk. This limitation highlights the need for developing well-structured studies and viewing ACS as an autologous product with diverse composition.
• The researchers concluded that while ACS administration appears safe and promising, it should not be recommended without proper caution due to the observed inconsistencies across the studies. This statement underscores the need for robust, high-quality research to validate the therapeutic efficacy of ACS in orthopedic treatment.