Effects of intravenous administration of sodium hyaluronate on carpal joints in exercising horses after arthroscopic surgery and osteochondral fragmentation.

The research article presents a study on the effects of hyaluronate, given intravenously, on horses who have undergone arthroscopic surgery and have osteochondral fragmentation. The evidence suggests that hyaluronate treatment reduces lameness and improves synovial membrane health.

Objectives and Methodology

• The main goal of the research was to determine the impact of intravenous hyaluronate on histologic, histochemical, and biochemical measures in the carpal joints of horses following arthroscopic surgery and osteochondral fragmentation.
• The sample included 12 healthy horses, aged 2-7 years. In each arm, one carpal joint was randomly chosen to undergo an operation that would mimic osteochondral fragmentation.
• Post-surgery, the horses were administered either 40mg of hyaluronate or a saline solution once a week for 3 weeks. This occurred on the 13th, 20th, and 27th day after surgery.
• The horses undertook physical exercise for five days a week — starting 15 days after surgery and ending on day 72.
• Both before and after the study, clinical evaluations were conducted. Additionally, synovial fluid samples were collected from both carpal joints at multiple intervals after surgery. These samples were analyzed for total protein, inflammatory cell, hyaluronate, glycosaminoglycan, and prostaglandin E2 concentrations.
• The horses were euthanized on the 72nd day for histologic evaluation of the synovial membrane and articular cartilage. The articular cartilage was also assessed for glycosaminoglycan content and chondrocyte synthetic rate.

Results and Conclusion

• Results suggested that the horses treated with hyaluronate had lower levels of lameness, along with superior synovial membrane histologic grades. Their synovial fluid had significantly decreased quantities of total protein and prostaglandin E2 compared to those treated with a placebo, 72 days after surgery.
• However, intravenously delivered hyaluronate had no noticeable effects on the glycosaminoglycan content, artificial cartilage morphology, or any other measures in the synovial fluid.
• Overall, the study concluded that intravenously delivered hyaluronate appeared to lessen signs of lameness in horses by interacting with synoviocytes and lowering the production and release of inflammatory mediators.