Clodronate improves lameness in horses without changing bone turnover markers.

The research study explores the impact of clodronate, a commonly prescribed drug for performance horses battling lameness, by attempting to understand if it alters bone remodeling, bone cell recruitment, or lameness. The findings reveal that a single dosage of clodronate successfully reduces lameness without significantly affecting bone turnover markers.

Research Methodology

• The study incorporated 12 university-owned equestrian team competition horses with a history of forelimb lameness due to navicular syndrome. The horses were divided into two equal groups, one receiving a clinical dose of clodronate (1.4 mg/kg), and the other receiving a placebo.
• To study the effects of the drug, researchers collected blood samples weekly for 8 weeks prior and post-drug administration, which were tested for bone turnover markers CTX-I and osteocalcin.
• Lameness evaluations were conducted one week before and 1, 2, 3, and 8 weeks post-treatment. Additional feedback was obtained through coach questionnaires to assess changes in ridden performance.
• Bone cell recruitment was studied in vitro two weeks before and after drug administration.

Research Findings

• No significant difference was observed in in vitro bone cell recruitment from whole bone marrow or in the bone turnover markers CTX-I or osteocalcin.
• A small, notable decrease in forelimb lameness was detected in the clodronate treated horses 1 week post-treatment.
• Also, perceived improvement in performance was reported more often in horses treated with clodronate compared to the control group by the eighth week.

Insights and Conclusion

• Two of the horses in the control group were given intra-articular anti-inflammatory medications post-treatment, which might have impacted the lameness results.
• Despite the observed improvements, the research concludes that a single dose of clodronate appears to alleviate lameness in horses, without influencing detectable changes on bone turnover markers.
• Considering the long half-life of bisphosphonate drugs like clodronate, the researchers suggest further investigation into the effects of multiple doses on bone remodeling and lameness.