FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Can J Vet Res / Effects of intramuscular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on c...
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire1989; 53(2); 224-230;

Effects of intramuscular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on chemical and physical defects in equine articular cartilage.

Abstract: The effect of intramuscular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSG) on repair of cartilage injury was evaluated in eight horses. In each horse, one middle carpal joint had both a partial-thickness and a full-thickness articular cartilage defect created. In the contralateral middle carpal joint, chemical articular cartilage injury was created by intra-articular injection of 50 mg sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA). Horses were divided into two groups for treatment. Group 1 horses (control) received an intramuscular injection of normal saline every four days for a total of seven injections starting seven days after cartilage injury. Group 2 horses received 500 mg of PSG intramuscularly every four days for seven treatments starting seven days after cartilage injury. Horses were maintained for 12 weeks. Horses were evaluated clinically, and their middle carpal joints were evaluated radiographically and arthroscopically at the end of the study. Joint tissues were also collected and examined microscopically. The only significant difference between groups was slightly greater matrix staining intensity for glycosaminoglycans in the radiate articular cartilage layer in MIA injected and PSG treated joints. Partial-thickness defects had not healed and the predominant repair tissue in full-thickness defects was fibrous tissue. It was concluded that using this joint injury model, 500 mg PSG administered intramuscularly had no effect on the healing of articular cartilage lesions, and minimal chondroprotective effect from chemically induced articular cartilage degeneration.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1989-04-01 PubMed ID: 2469533PubMed Central: PMC1255551
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • 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 study explored the effects of injecting a compound known as polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on damaged horse joint cartilage. The researchers found that the treatment had no significant impact on the cartilage healing process and had a minimal protective effect on chemically induced cartilage degradation.

Study Design

  • The research was conducted on eight horses, with each horse used as its control. In each animal, an injury was created in a middle carpal joint, and a chemical injury was introduced in the opposite carpal joint.
  • The real-time effect and healing of these injuries were compared to the results of injecting 500 mg of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSG) into the muscle, designed to investigate the compound’s direct effect on joint cartilage repair.
  • For control, an equivalent amount of normal saline was administered in the same manner to each horse.

Methodology and Evaluation

  • The injured joints were clinically evaluated over 12 weeks, subject to radiography, arthroscopy and microscopic examination to assess changes and healing progression.
  • The researchers looked for healing indications in partial-thickness and full-thickness defects in the cartilage, as well as potential differences in the texture and staining intensity of the glycosaminoglycans in the joint cartilage.

Findings and Conclusion

  • The research found no significant difference in the group of horses that received the PSG compound versus the control group. Healing was not evident in partial-thickness defects, and fibrous tissue primarily repaired full-thickness defects implying that the PSG injection showed no significant impact on cartilage repair.
  • The slight increase in staining intensity for glycosaminoglycans in the articular cartilage layer from the PSG treated joints was the only notable difference. This hints at a minor chondroprotective effect against chemically induced cartilage damage, however, this was deemed inconclusive due to lack of corroborating evidence.
  • The study concluded that the use of intramuscularly-administered PSG in this particular model showed no significant effect on the remediation of articular cartilage injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Trotter GW, Yovich JV, McIlwraith CW, Norrdin RW. (1989). Effects of intramuscular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on chemical and physical defects in equine articular cartilage. Can J Vet Res, 53(2), 224-230.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 2
Pages: 224-230

Researcher Affiliations

Trotter, G W
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Yovich, J V
    McIlwraith, C W
      Norrdin, R W

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Carpal Bones / injuries
        • Carpal Bones / pathology
        • Cartilage Diseases / chemically induced
        • Cartilage Diseases / drug therapy
        • Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
        • Cartilage, Articular / injuries
        • Foot Diseases / chemically induced
        • Foot Diseases / drug therapy
        • Foot Diseases / pathology
        • Foot Diseases / veterinary
        • Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
        • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
        • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses / injuries
        • Iodoacetates
        • Iodoacetic Acid
        • Staining and Labeling

        References

        This article includes 24 references
        1. Williams JM, Brandt KD. Temporary immobilisation facilitates repair of chemically induced articular cartilage injury.. J Anat 1984 May;138 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):435-46.
          pubmed: 6735906
        2. Ueno R. [Results of treating experimental arthrosis of the knee-joint with a mucopolysaccharid--polysulphuric acid ester (author's transl)].. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb 1973 Dec;111(6):886-92.
          pubmed: 4273748
        3. Hannan N, Ghosh P, Bellenger C, Taylor T. Systemic administration of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (arteparon) provides partial protection of articular cartilage from damage produced by meniscectomy in the canine.. J Orthop Res 1987;5(1):47-59.
          pubmed: 2950217doi: 10.1002/jor.1100050108google scholar: lookup
        4. Carreno MR, Muniz OE, Howell DS. The effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulfuric acid ester on articular cartilage in experimental osteoarthritis: effects on morphological variables of disease severity.. J Rheumatol 1986 Jun;13(3):490-7.
          pubmed: 3735271
        5. Müller W, Panse P, Brand S, Staubli A. [In vivo study of the distribution, affinity for cartilage and metabolism of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (GAGPS, Arteparon)].. Z Rheumatol 1983 Nov-Dec;42(6):355-61.
          pubmed: 6229938
        6. Andrews JL, Sutherland J, Ghosh P. Distribution and binding of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate to intervertebral disc, knee joint articular cartilage and meniscus.. Arzneimittelforschung 1985;35(1):144-8.
          pubmed: 3838672
        7. McIlwraith CW. Current concepts in equine degenerative joint disease.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1982 Feb 1;180(3):239-50.
          pubmed: 7035425
        8. Iwata H, Kaneko M, Kawai K, Kajino G, Nakagawa M. Uptake of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate by articular and meniscus cartilage: a biochemical and autoradiographic investigation.. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1980 Nov-Dec;(153):265-72.
          pubmed: 7449226
        9. Yovich JV, Trotter GW, McIlwraith CW, Norrdin RW. Effects of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on chemical and physical defects in equine articular cartilage.. Am J Vet Res 1987 Sep;48(9):1407-14.
          pubmed: 3662210
        10. Nizolek DJ, White KK. Corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid treatments in equine degenerative joint disease. A review.. Cornell Vet 1981 Oct;71(4):355-75.
          pubmed: 7032840
        11. Adam M, Krabcová M, Musilová J, Pesáková V, Brettschneider I, Deyl Z. Contribution to the mode of action of glycosaminoglycan-polysulphate (GAGPS) upon human osteoarthrotic cartilage. Biochemical study of the collagen and proteoglycan turnover.. Arzneimittelforschung 1980;30(10):1730-2.
          pubmed: 7192112
        12. Williams JM, Brandt KD. Immobilization ameliorates chemically-induced articular cartilage damage.. Arthritis Rheum 1984 Feb;27(2):208-16.
          pubmed: 6696774doi: 10.1002/art.1780270213google scholar: lookup
        13. Brennan JJ, Aherne FX, Nakano T. Effects of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate treatment on soundness, hyaluronic acid content of synovial fluid and proteoglycan aggregate in articular cartilage of lame boars.. Can J Vet Res 1987 Jul;51(3):394-8.
          pubmed: 3651896
        14. McIlwraith CW, Van Sickle DC. Experimentally induced arthritis of the equine carpus: histologic and histochemical changes in the articular cartilage.. Am J Vet Res 1981 Feb;42(2):209-17.
          pubmed: 7258770
        15. Jeffcott LB, Rossdale PD, Freestone J, Frank CJ, Towers-Clark PF. An assessment of wastage in thoroughbred racing from conception to 4 years of age.. Equine Vet J 1982 Jul;14(3):185-98.
          pubmed: 7106081doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1982.tb02389.xgoogle scholar: lookup
        16. Rose RJ. The diagnosis and treatment of arthritis in horses.. N Z Vet J 1983 Jan-Feb;31(1-2):13-5.
          pubmed: 16030907doi: 10.1080/00480169.1983.34947google scholar: lookup
        17. Buchmann U, Kalbhen DA. [Experimental gonarthrosis in rats and its therapy with glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAGPS)].. Z Rheumatol 1985 May-Jun;44(3):100-7.
          pubmed: 4060902
        18. Vignon E, Hartmann JD, Vignon G, Moyen B, Arlot M, Ville G. Cartilage destruction in experimentally induced osteoarthritis.. J Rheumatol 1984 Apr;11(2):202-7.
          pubmed: 6726716
        19. Williams JM, Brandt KD. Benoxaprofen reduces osteophyte formation and fibrillation after articular cartilage injury.. J Rheumatol 1985 Feb;12(1):27-32.
          pubmed: 3981515
        20. Kalbhen DA. [Chondroprotective and antiarthrotic properties of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAGPS) in gonarthrosis in animal experiments].. Z Rheumatol 1982 Sep-Oct;41(5):219-29.
          pubmed: 6218713
        21. Howell DS, Carreno MR, Pelletier JP, Muniz OE. Articular cartilage breakdown in a lapine model of osteoarthritis. Action of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate ester (GAGPS) on proteoglycan degrading enzyme activity, hexuronate, and cell counts.. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1986 Dec;(213):69-76.
          pubmed: 3536251
        22. Thompson RC Jr, Oegema TR Jr. Metabolic activity of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis. An in vitro study.. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1979 Apr;61(3):407-16.
          pubmed: 429413
        23. Langenskiöld A, Michelsson JE, Videman T. Osteoarthritis of the knee in the rabbit produced by immobilization. Attempts to achieve a reproducible model for studies on pathogenesis and therapy.. Acta Orthop Scand 1979 Feb;50(1):1-14.
          pubmed: 425824doi: 10.3109/17453677909024083google scholar: lookup
        24. Auer JA, Fackelman GE, Gingerich DA, Fetter AW. Effect of hyaluronic acid in naturally occurring and experimentally induced osteoarthritis.. Am J Vet Res 1980 Apr;41(4):568-74.
          pubmed: 7406275

        Citations

        This article has been cited 8 times.
        1. Yassin AM, AbuBakr HO, Abdelgalil AI, Khattab MS, El-Behairy AM, Gouda EM. COL2A1 and Caspase-3 as Promising Biomarkers for Osteoarthritis Prognosis in an Equus asinus Model. Biomolecules 2020 Feb 26;10(3).
          doi: 10.3390/biom10030354pubmed: 32111016google scholar: lookup
        2. Wojcik-Pastuszka D, Krzak J, Macikowski B, Berkowski R, Osiński B, Musiał W. Evaluation of the Release Kinetics of a Pharmacologically Active Substance from Model Intra-Articular Implants Replacing the Cruciate Ligaments of the Knee. Materials (Basel) 2019 Apr 12;12(8).
          doi: 10.3390/ma12081202pubmed: 31013801google scholar: lookup
        3. Hunt CL, Leatherwood JL, Coverdale JA, Sigler DL, Vogelsang MM, Arnold CE. Effects of repeated arthrocentesis on systemic cytokine expression and leukocyte population in young horses challenged with intra-articular lipopolysaccharide. J Anim Sci 2019 Jan 1;97(1):184-191.
          doi: 10.1093/jas/sky423pubmed: 30423145google scholar: lookup
        4. Unger MD, Murthy NS, Kanwar R, Strand KA, Maus TP, Beutler AS. Clinical magnetic resonance-enabled characterization of mono-iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in a large animal species. PLoS One 2018;13(8):e0201673.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201673pubmed: 30075007google scholar: lookup
        5. 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
        6. Desjardins MR, Hurtig MB. Cartilage healing: A review with emphasis on the equine model. Can Vet J 1990 Aug;31(8):565-72.
          pubmed: 17423644
        7. Crawford WH, Houge JC, Neirby DT, Di Mino A, Di Mino AA. Pulsed radio frequency therapy of experimentally induced arthritis in ponies. Can J Vet Res 1991 Jan;55(1):76-85.
          pubmed: 1884288
        8. 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
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.