Clinical follow-up of horses treated with allogeneic equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood for different tendon and ligament disorders.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer promise as therapeutic aids in the repair of tendon and ligament disorders in sport horses. Equine allogeneic MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood (eUCB-MSCs) can be obtained in a minimally invasive fashion with successful propagation of MSCs. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the applicability and therapeutic effect of eUCB-MSCs on tendinitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon, desmitis of the suspensory ligament, tendinitis of the deep digital flexor tendon, and desmitis of the inferior check ligament in clinical cases. Methods: A retrospective clinical study was performed. At two equine clinics, 52 warmblood horses were treated with cultured eUCB-MSCs between 2009 and 2012. About 2-10 × 10(6) cells per lesion were administered. When a lesion was treated twice, the total amount could run up to 20 × 10(6) cells. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare the effect of the injured structure on the success rate, as well as the effect of the age of the horse. Results: Based on repeated examinations, 40 horses (77%) returned to work on the same or a higher level based on information provided by the owner. Neither the injured structure nor the age of the horse had a statistically significant influence on the result. Conclusions: Overall, the results of treatment of some tendon and ligament injuries with eUCB-MSCs in clinical cases are promising.
Publication Date: 2014-08-26 PubMed ID: 25072527DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2014.949390Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper assesses the therapeutic effects of using Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) drawn from equine-derived Umbilical Cord Blood, known as eUCB-MSCs, in treating tendon and ligament disorders in sport horses. The findings reveal that 77% of the treated horses were able to return to work at their previous or better capacity, suggesting promising results.
Research Objective
The main aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of eUCB-MSCs in treating four specific disorders: tendinitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon, desmitis of the suspensory ligament, tendinitis of the deep digital flexor tendon, and desmitis of the inferior check ligament. This was done through a retrospective clinical study of sport horses treated with this therapy between 2009 and 2012.
Methodology
- A retrospective clinical study was conducted using data from two equine clinics.
- The study observed a total of 52 warmblood horses that received treatment with eUCB-MSCs between 2009 and 2012.
- Each lesion was treated with approximately 2-10×10(6) cells. In some cases, where the lesion was treated twice, the overall amount of cells could reach up to 20×10(6).
- The research applied Pearson’s chi-squared test to evaluate the effect of the injured structure on the success rate, and to determine the impact of the horse’s age on the results.
Findings
- Out of the 52 warmblood horses treated, 40 (77%) were able to return to work at the same or higher level of activity as per the data provided by the owners.
- The researchers found no statistically significant correlation between the age of the horse or the type of injury and the success of the treatment.
Conclusions
- The use of eUCB-MSCs to treat tendon and ligament disorders in sport horses shows promise, based on this study’s findings. The high success rate of horses returning to their previous performance level suggests the treatment is effective.
- Neither the age of the horse nor the type of injured structure posed a significant influence on the results, suggesting the treatment could be broadly applicable.
Cite This Article
APA
(2014).
Clinical follow-up of horses treated with allogeneic equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood for different tendon and ligament disorders.
Vet Q, 34(2), 92-97.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2014.949390 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Lameness, Animal / therapy
- Ligaments / injuries
- Male
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / veterinary
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
- Tendinopathy / diagnostic imaging
- Tendinopathy / therapy
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Transplantation, Homologous / veterinary
- Ultrasonography
Citations
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