Changes in articular cartilage after intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate in horses.
Abstract: Eight mature horses with no prior signs of joint disease or history of intra-articular therapy were treated with 8 weekly intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate. Treatments were given at a dose of 120 mg/joint into the right radiocarpal and intercarpal joints, with the left joints as untreated controls. Articular cartilage samples were obtained at necropsy 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the last injection. Compared with controls, cartilage from injected joints had a loss of hematoxylin basophilia and decreased intensity of staining in safranin O fast green dye. Chondrocyte necrosis and hypocellularity were observed in all samples of cartilage from treated joints. Proteoglycan content and its rate of synthesis were reduced. There was a progressive loss of proteoglycan content, whereas proteoglycan synthesis increased somewhat 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Collagen content was unchanged, but its rate of synthesis was markedly inhibited. Collagen synthesis did not recover, but remained decreased at 5 to 15% of the values from untreated cartilage. Water percentage was increased, but fibronectin content was not significantly different. A single injection of methylprednisolone acetate was also given into the right metacarpophalangeal joints of 3 of the 8 horses in this group, with the left joints serving as untreated controls. Sixteen weeks after the treatment, cartilage of the treated joints had a loss of histochemical staining and proteoglycan content was reduced to 50% of control values. The mean rate of proteoglycan synthesis and mean fibronectin content were increased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). Other variables were essentially unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1989-10-01 PubMed ID: 2802304
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explores the effect of multiple intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate on the articular cartilage in horses. It notes significant changes such as chondrocyte necrosis, increase in water percentage, and interrupted collagen synthesis.
Methodology
- The researchers used eight mature horses with no previous signs of joint disease or history of intra-articular therapy.
- These horses were treated with 8 weekly intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate at a dose of 120 mg/joint into the right radiocarpal and intercarpal joints.
- The left joints of these horses were left untreated and served as controls.
- Articular cartilage samples were collected at necropsy 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the last injection for analysis.
Findings
- The study found that cartilage from the injected joints had lost hematoxylin basophilia and decreased intensity of staining in safranin O fast green dye compared to the control.
- Chondrocyte necrosis and hypocellularity were observed in all cartilage samples from the treated joints.
- The proteoglycan content and its rate of synthesis were reduced.
- A progressive loss of proteoglycan content was noted, while proteoglycan synthesis somewhat increased 4 and 8 weeks after treatment.
- Collagen content remained unchanged, but its rate of synthesis was substantially inhibited and did not recover, maintaining a reduced rate at 5-15% of the untreated cartilage values.
- The water percentage in the joint increased while the fibronectin content did not change significantly.
Additional Concerns
- Three of the eight horses were given a single injection of methylprednisolone acetate into the right metacarpophalangeal joints, with the left joints serving as untreated controls.
- Sixteen weeks after the treatment, the treated joints showed a loss of histochemical staining and a 50% reduction in proteoglycan content compared to control values.
- The proteoglycan’s mean rate of synthesis and the mean fibronectin content were increased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05).
- Other variables largely remained unchanged.
Cite This Article
APA
Chunekamrai S, Krook LP, Lust G, Maylin GA.
(1989).
Changes in articular cartilage after intra-articular injections of methylprednisolone acetate in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 50(10), 1733-1741.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Drug Testing and Research Program, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14853
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
- Cartilage, Articular / analysis
- Cartilage, Articular / cytology
- Cartilage, Articular / drug effects
- Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
- Collagen / biosynthesis
- Fibronectins / analysis
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Hydroxyproline / analysis
- Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
- Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
- Methylprednisolone / analogs & derivatives
- Methylprednisolone / pharmacology
- Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Proteoglycans / biosynthesis
- Synovial Fluid / drug effects
- Viscosity
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Pye C, Bruniges N, Peffers M, Comerford E. Advances in the pharmaceutical treatment options for canine osteoarthritis.. J Small Anim Pract 2022 Oct;63(10):721-738.
- Bodick N, Williamson T, Strand V, Senter B, Kelley S, Boyce R, Lightfoot-Dunn R. Local Effects Following Single and Repeat Intra-Articular Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: Results from Three Nonclinical Toxicity Studies in Dogs.. Rheumatol Ther 2018 Dec;5(2):475-498.
- Barton KI, Heard BJ, Chung M, Sevick JL, Martin CR, Achari Y, Frank CB, Shrive NG, Hart DA. Location and gene-specific effects of methylprednisolone acetate on mitigating IL1β-induced inflammation in mature ovine explant knee tissue.. Inflamm Res 2017 Mar;66(3):239-248.
- Miyazaki T, Kobayashi S, Takeno K, Yayama T, Meir A, Baba H. Lidocaine cytotoxicity to the bovine articular chondrocytes in vitro: changes in cell viability and proteoglycan metabolism.. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2011 Jul;19(7):1198-205.
- Verschure PJ, Van Noorden CJ, Van Marle J, Van den Berg WB. Articular cartilage destruction in experimental inflammatory arthritis: insulin-like growth factor-1 regulation of proteoglycan metabolism in chondrocytes.. Histochem J 1996 Dec;28(12):835-57.
- Rhodes C, Yamada Y. Characterization of a glucocorticoid responsive element and identification of an AT-rich element that regulate the link protein gene.. Nucleic Acids Res 1995 Jun 25;23(12):2305-13.
- Saari H, Tulamo RM, Konttinen YT, Sorsa T. Methylprednisolone acetate induced release of cartilage proteoglycans: determination by high performance liquid chromatography.. Ann Rheum Dis 1992 Feb;51(2):214-9.
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