Evaluation of a single intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution for treatment of osteoarthritis in horses.

The study investigates the effectiveness of a single intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution (APS) as a treatment option for horses suffering from osteoarthritis. The results demonstrate clear improvement in lameness, comfort, and range of joint motion without any adverse side effects.

Study Design and Procedure

• The study sample consisted of 40 client-owned horses diagnosed with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. These horses were randomly allocated to two groups; one group received 5 mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution injection and the other received APS.
• The APS was created using a special dual-device system that focused on the concentration of plasma and white blood cell proteins in addition to enriching platelet growth factors.
• After the administration of the respective injections, the horses underwent exercise on a treadmill and were evaluated based on lameness grades, kinetic gait analysis, joint circumference, and range of motion for a duration of 14 days.
• At the end of the study, the group that initially received saline solution was administered APS. The horse owners were asked to score their horses for lameness and discomfort before and 12 weeks as well as 52 weeks after receiving the APS injection.

Results and Findings

• The results demonstrated that horses in the APS group showed significant improvements in lameness grade, asymmetry indices of the vertical peak force, and joint motion range by the end of the 14-day period, as compared to baseline or control group values.
• No adverse effects were observed to be associated with APS treatment.
• The clients evaluated lameness and comfort to be improved after 12 and 52 weeks post-APS injection.
• Horses exhibiting a lameness score less than 4, less than 10% vertical force asymmetry, or absence of marked osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, or joint space narrowing were found to have a higher likelihood (odds ratio ranging from 4.3 to 30.0) of a therapeutic response to APS treatment.
• From a molecular perspective, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist concentration in APS was reported to be 5.8 times that present in blood, pointing towards a potential mechanism through which APS may relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that using APS as an intra-articular treatment can be an effective strategy for managing equine osteoarthritis. Moreover, APS has the potential to modify the disease process, reducing symptoms, and improving the quality of life for affected horses.