Evaluation of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet lysate (PL) in horses with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Abstract: Regenerative medicine has become one of the most promising therapies of equine osteoarthritis. Platelet lysate (PL) is rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue healing. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articularly injected autologous PL in equine athletes with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifteen warmblood geldings aged 8-19 years with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups; 10 horses received intra-articular injections of PL and 5 of normal saline (controls). Before treatment, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels in basal plasma and prepared PL were estimated. Each joint was injected twice within a three-week period. Lameness was evaluated using the American Association of Equine Practitioners grading system, before treatment and 10 days after each intra-articular injection. Horses were examined fortnightly for one year. Radiographic examination was performed six months post-treatment. The generalized estimating equation test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Acceptable levels of PDGF were detected in PLs (mean ± SD: 258.0 ± 52.3 pg/ml). The majority of horses (9/10) responded positively to PL treatment presenting lower lameness grades (p < 0.0005) compared to controls 10 days after the second injection, and returned to normal athletic activity. Radiographs revealed no changes in osteoarthritis lesions six months after treatment. One year post-injections, however, all horses relapsed to their initial degree of lameness. Conclusions: Intra-articularly injected autologous PL is an efficient method for temporarily managing osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in athletic horses.
Publication Date: 2016-02-01 PubMed ID: 26828234DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2016.1141257Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Athletic Horses
- Clinical Study
- Disease Management
- Disease Treatment
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Growth Factors
- Horse Training
- Intra-Articular Injection
- Lameness
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain Management
- Performance Horses
- Platelets
- Radiology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Warmblood Horses
Summary
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This research study investigated the use of platelet lysate (PL), a product rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors, in treating osteoarthritis in horses. Researchers found that PL injections helped reduce lameness in horses with osteoarthritis, however, the effect was only temporary and symptoms returned a year after treatment.
Research Methodology
- The study included fifteen warmblood geldings, a type of horse breed, aged between 8 to 19 years, all suffering from osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint.
- The horses were split into two teams: Ten horses received intra-articular injections of platelet lysate (PL), and the remaining five horses were administered normal saline injections as a control group.
- The researchers evaluated the levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a protein that aids in cell growth and division, in both the basal plasma and prepared PL before treatment.
- Each horse’s affected joint was injected two times during a period of three weeks.
- The researchers measured lameness—the horse’s condition causing irregularity in movement—using a grading system developed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, both before treatment and ten days after each injection.
- All horses were examined every two weeks for one year after the injections.
- Radiographic examinations—medical imaging procedures using X-rays—were undertaken six months after the treatment.
Research Findings
- PLs were found to contain acceptable levels of PDGF, indicating the potential to support tissue healing.
- Majority of horses (9 out of 10) showed a positive response to the PL treatment, indicated by lower lameness grades compared to the control group. The improvement was observed ten days after the second injection.
- These horses were able to return to normal athletic activity post-treatment.
- Radiographs taken six months post-treatment revealed no changes in osteoarthritis lesions, confirming that the intra-articular PL injections did not impact the physical signs of the disease but did manage the symptoms.
- A downside to this treatment was found, however, when all horses returned to their initial degree of lameness one year post-injections, indicating that the benefits of PL injections were only temporary.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that using PL through intra-articular injections is an effective temporary solution to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis in horses, especially concerning lameness.
- This suggests that while PL might not cure or reverse osteoarthritis, it can provide temporary relief for the horses, improving their quality of life and athletic performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Tyrnenopoulou P, Diakakis N, Karayannopoulou M, Savvas I, Koliakos G.
(2016).
Evaluation of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet lysate (PL) in horses with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint.
Vet Q, 36(2), 56-62.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2016.1141257 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
- a Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
- b Surgery and Obstetrics Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
- c Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
- d Department of Biochemistry, Medical School , Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Platelets / physiology
- Carpal Joints / physiopathology
- Forelimb / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
- Male
- Osteoarthritis / etiology
- Osteoarthritis / therapy
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
Citations
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