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American journal of veterinary research2007; 68(6); 598-604; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.68.6.598

Evaluation of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable extracts for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis.

Abstract: To evaluate the use of a combination of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable (ASU) extracts for the treatment of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses. Methods: 16 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced via osteochondral fragmentation in 1 middle carpal joint of each horse; the other joint underwent a sham operation. Horses were randomly allocated to receive oral treatment with ASU extracts (1:2 [avocado-to-soybean] ratio mixed in 6 mL of molasses; n = 8) or molasses (6 mL) alone (placebo treatment; 8) once daily from days 0 to 70. Lameness, response to joint flexion, synovial effusion, gross and histologic joint assessments, and serum and synovial fluid biochemical data were compared between treatment groups to identify effects of treatment. Results: Osteochondral fragmentation induced significant increases in various variables indicative of joint pain and disease. Treatment with ASU extracts did not have an effect on signs of pain or lameness; however, there was a significant reduction in severity of articular cartilage erosion and synovial hemorrhage (assessed grossly) and significant increase in articular cartilage glycosaminoglycan synthesis, compared with placebo-treated horses. Conclusions: Although treatment with ASU extracts did not decrease clinical signs of pain in horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis, there did appear to be a disease-modifying effect of treatment, compared with findings in placebo-treated horses. These objective data support the use of ASU extracts as a disease-modifying treatment for management of osteoarthritis in horses.
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Publication Date: 2007-06-05 PubMed ID: 17542691DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.6.598Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 study examines the use of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable (ASU) extracts in treating horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. While it didn’t lessen symptoms of pain, it did appear to have an effect in reducing the severity of the disease.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved a set of 16 horses. Each horse had osteoarthritis induced in one of their middle carpal joints using a method known as osteochondral fragmentation; a sort of mock operation was performed on the other joint.
  • These horses were then divided randomly into two groups. One group was orally given ASU extracts in a ratio of 1:2 avocado to soybean in 6 ml of molasses. The other group was given 6 ml of molasses alone, functioning as the placebo treatment.
  • The treatment was administered once daily from the start of the experiment to the 70th day.

Outcome Measures

  • The key outcomes measured included lameness, response to joint flexion, synovial effusion, gross and histologic joint assessments, and serum and synovial fluid biochemical data.
  • In terms of disease and pain indicators, the osteochondral fragmentation led to significant increases in various measures.
  • The ASU extracts had no perceivable impact on pain signs or lameness. However, it was noticed that there was a significant decrease in the severity of articular cartilage erosion and synovial hemorrhage (assessed at the gross level).
  • Furthermore, a significant increase was found in articular cartilage glycosaminoglycan synthesis when compared with horses treated with the placebo.

Research Conclusions

  • The research study concluded that while ASU extracts didn’t reduce the clinical signs of pain in horses with osteoarthritis induced for the experiment, there did appear to be a disease-modifying impact of the treatment compared to the placebo-treated horses.
  • The objective data gathered from the study supports the use of ASU extracts as a potential disease-altering treatment for the management of osteoarthritis in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Werpy NM, Park RD. (2007). Evaluation of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable extracts for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Am J Vet Res, 68(6), 598-604. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.6.598

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 6
Pages: 598-604

Researcher Affiliations

Kawcak, Christopher E
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Frisbie, David D
    McIlwraith, C Wayne
      Werpy, Natasha M
        Park, Richard D

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
          • Horses
          • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
          • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
          • Persea / chemistry
          • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
          • Glycine max / chemistry
          • Time Factors

          Citations

          This article has been cited 15 times.
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