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Equine Allogeneic Chondrogenic Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are an Effective Treatment for Degenerative Joint Disease in Horses.

Abstract: Degenerative joint disease is one of the main causes of equine early retirement from pleasure riding or a performance career. The disease is initially triggered by an abnormal loading of normal cartilage or a normal loading of abnormal cartilage. This primary insult is accompanied with joint inflammation, which leads to further progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and changes in the surrounding tissues. Therefore, in search for an effective treatment, 75 adult horses with early signs of degenerative fetlock joint disease were enrolled in a randomized, multicenter, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. Fifty animals were injected intra-articularly with the investigational veterinary product (IVP) consisting of allogeneic chondrogenic induced mesenchymal stem cells (ciMSCs) with equine allogeneic plasma, and 25 horses were injected with 0.9% NaCl (saline) control product. From week 3 to 18 after treatment, lameness scores (P < 0.001), flexion test responses (P < 0.034), and joint effusion scores (P < 0.001) were remarkably superior in IVP-treated horses. Besides nasal discharge in both treatment groups, no adverse events were observed during the entire study period. On long-term follow-up (1 year), significantly more investigational product-treated horses were working at training level or were returned to their previous level of work (P < 0.001).
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Publication Date: PubMed ID: 30623737
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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 article investigates how a treatment involving the injection of stem cells can help in treating early signs of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) in horses. The study results demonstrate a significant improvement in the condition of horses treated with this method when compared to a control group.

Research Context and Aim

  • Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a significant cause for early retirement in horses, often affecting their performance and pleasure riding abilities. This disease is primarily triggered by abnormal or extreme stress exerted on the cartilage.
  • Given the need for effective treatments, the researchers conducted a randomized, multicenter, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study involving 75 adult horses showing early signs of DJD.

Research Method

  • Of the total of 75 horses, 50 were treated with an injection of allogeneic chondrogenic induced mesenchymal stem cells (ciMSCs) combined with equine allogeneic plasma. This experimental veterinary product aimed to regenerate damaged cartilage, improving the condition of the joint. This experimental group is referred to as the “IVP-treated horses” in the study.
  • The remaining 25 horses were injected with a saline solution as a control group.
  • Several aspects such as lameness scores, flexion test responses, and joint effusion scores were recorded and analysed from week 3 to week 18 after the treatment.

Research Findings

  • Compared to the control group, IVP-treated horses showed significant improvement in the aforementioned aspects. For instance, scores for lameness, flexion test responses, and joint effusion were notably better in IVP-treated horses.
  • The study noted no adverse events in both groups, except for nasal discharge. This indicates that the treatment was well-tolerated by the animals.
  • In a longer-term follow-up (1 year), substantially more horses treated with the stem cell product were able to return to their prior level of work or were working at training level. Thus, the treatment was not only effective in the short-term but also in the long run.

Conclusions

  • The findings suggest that the use of mesenchymal stem cells can be an effective strategy for treating DJD in horses.
  • However, further research may be required to explore the full potential of this treatment strategy, understand its effects in greater detail, and investigate potential risks or side effects associated with repeated or long-term use.

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Citations

This article has been cited 33 times.
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