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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Comparison of polysulphated glycosaminoglycan and sodium hya...
Equine veterinary journal1995; 27(5); 356-362; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04070.x

Comparison of polysulphated glycosaminoglycan and sodium hyaluronate with placebo in treatment of traumatic arthritis in horses.

Abstract: A randomised double blind and placebo controlled clinical study was carried out. Standardbred trotters (n=77), age 3-4 years) with moderate to severe lameness were grouped according to number of affected joints and, within each group, were randomised for treatment with polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), sodium hyaluronate (SH) or placebo for 3 weeks. The horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2-4 weeks after the end of treatment. Mean initial lameness score was significantly reduced during treatment and at the last examination in all 3 groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the prevalence of sound horses increased significantly from 1 to 3 weeks of treatment and to the last examination in all 3 groups (P < or = 0.03). Comparison of the 2 treatment groups with regard to development of the lameness curve and time until soundness indicated a small, non significant difference in favour of SH. No significant difference was detected between the 2 treatment groups in the prevalences or cumulative incidence of soundness. The study detected a superior effect of the 2 drugs compared with placebo for reduction in lameness score during the treatment period (P=0.03) and the total study period (P<0.01), time until soundness (P=0.04) and the prevalence of sound horses at the last examination (P<0.01). All 3 treatments affected traumatic arthritis in horses, but the SH and PSGAG gave better results than the placebo.
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Publication Date: 1995-09-01 PubMed ID: 8654350DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04070.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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 investigates the effect of polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) and sodium hyaluronate (SH) compared to a placebo in treating traumatic arthritis in horses, revealing that both treatments are more effective than the placebo.

Study Design

  • The researchers implemented a randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. This approach ensures fair and unbiased results by preventing the researchers’ and participants’ expectations from affecting the outcome.
  • The participants of the study were Standardbred trotters aged between 3 and 4 years old showing moderate to severe lameness—an indicator of pain. The total number was 77.
  • The horses were grouped according to the number of affected joints. Within each group, they randomly received either the PSGAG treatment, SH treatment, or the placebo for 3 weeks.
  • The health of the horses was reviewed weekly, and a final check-up took place 2-4 weeks after the treatment concluded.

Findings

  • All three groups (PSGAG, SH, and the placebo) showed a significant reduction in the mean initial lameness score during treatment and at the final examination. This suggests that all treatments, including the placebo, had some level of beneficial effect on traumatic arthritis in horses.
  • However, a comparison between the two treatment groups (PSGAG and SH) and the trajectory of lameness showed a slight advantage for SH, even though the difference was not statistically significant.
  • The researchers found no significant difference between the PSGAG and SH groups regarding the prevalence or cumulative incidence of soundness—meaning the absence of lameness.

Conclusion

  • Both PSGAG and SH were found to be more effective than the placebo in reducing lameness score over the treatment and the total study period. They also led to a quicker return to soundness and a higher prevalence of sound horses at the last examination.
  • Despite the differences not being highly significant, SH demonstrated a slight edge over PSGAG in dealing with the lameness.
  • Given these results, both the SH and PSGAG are useful in treating traumatic arthritis in horses, leading to better outcomes than placebo treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Gaustad G, Larsen S. (1995). Comparison of polysulphated glycosaminoglycan and sodium hyaluronate with placebo in treatment of traumatic arthritis in horses. Equine Vet J, 27(5), 356-362. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb04070.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 5
Pages: 356-362

Researcher Affiliations

Gaustad, G
  • Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Larsen, S

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
    • Arthritis / drug therapy
    • Arthritis / etiology
    • Arthritis / veterinary
    • Double-Blind Method
    • Female
    • Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
    • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
    • Horse Diseases / etiology
    • Horses
    • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use
    • Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
    • Lameness, Animal / pathology
    • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
    • Male
    • Severity of Illness Index
    • Wounds and Injuries / complications
    • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 6 times.
    1. Gupta RC, Lall R, Srivastava A, Sinha A. Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:192.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00192pubmed: 31294035google scholar: lookup
    2. Niemelä TM, Tulamo RM, Aaltonen K, Sankari SM, Hielm-Björkman AK. Changes in biomarkers in equine synovial fluid two weeks after intra-articular hyaluronan treatment: a randomised double-blind clinical trial. BMC Vet Res 2018 Jun 15;14(1):186.
      doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1512-2pubmed: 29907111google scholar: lookup
    3. Niemelä TM, Tulamo RM, Hielm-Björkman AK. A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study on intra-articular hyaluronan treatment in equine lameness originating from the metacarpophalangeal joint. BMC Vet Res 2016 Mar 23;12:60.
      doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0687-7pubmed: 27005478google scholar: lookup
    4. McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE. The horse as a model of naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Bone Joint Res 2012 Nov;1(11):297-309.
      doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.111.2000132pubmed: 23610661google scholar: lookup
    5. White GW. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan as a treatment for osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine: Summary of the pharmacological, laboratory, and clinical data. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):4007-4023.
      doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i9.6pubmed: 41200294google scholar: lookup
    6. Guerra-Gomes M, Ferreira-Baptista C, Barros J, Alves-Pimenta S, Gomes P, Colaço B. Exploring the Potential of Non-Cellular Orthobiologic Products in Regenerative Therapies for Stifle Joint Diseases in Companion Animals. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 18;15(4).
      doi: 10.3390/ani15040589pubmed: 40003071google scholar: lookup
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