Evaluation of opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses.
Abstract: To evaluate mu-opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses and determine whether these receptors are up-regulated in nerve endings during inflammation. Methods: Synovial tissue obtained from 39 client-owned horses during arthroscopy and 14 research horses during necropsy; brain and synovial tissues were obtained during necropsy from 1 horse, and control tissues were obtained from a mouse. Methods: Horses were classified into 7 groups on the basis of histologically determined degree of inflammation. Binding of primary rabbit antibody developed against mu-opioid receptors in equine synovial tissue was studied, using western blot analysis. Synovial membranes were tested for mu-opioid receptors by immunohistochemical staining, using a diaminobenzidine-cobalt chloride chromogen. Homogenates of synovial membranes were evaluated by use of radioligand binding. Results: Examination of western blots of equine thalamus revealed that rabbit antibody developed against mu-opioid receptors yielded a band (molecular weight, 55 kd) that corresponded with that of other opioid receptors. Use of immunohistochemical staining of synovial tissue revealed considerable staining in the proliferative lining layer and in regions surrounding vascular structures. Specific radioligand binding of tissue homogenates was found in all groups. We did not detect significant differences in binding between horses with inflammation and horses without inflammation. Conclusions: Results of immunohistochemical analysis and radioligand binding of tissue homogenates suggest that there are opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses. Our results support the practice of intra-articular administration of opioids to relieve pain after arthroscopic surgery in horses.
Publication Date: 2001-09-19 PubMed ID: 11560269DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1408Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explored the presence of mu-opioid receptors in the synovial membranes of horses, to see if these receptors increase during inflammation. The study confirmed the presence of these receptors, supporting the intra-articular administration of opioids for post-arthroscopic pain relief in horses.
Research Methodology
- The study involved synovial tissue collected from 39 client-owned horses during arthroscopy and 14 research horses during necropsy.
- The horses were divided into seven groups based on the level of inflammation observed histologically.
- Investigations were conducted using a primary rabbit antibody against mu-opioid receptors in equine synovial tissue. The binding was studied via western blot analysis.
- The presence of mu-opioid receptors in synovial membranes was checked through immunohistochemical staining using a diaminobenzidine-cobalt chloride chromogen.
- Finally, radioligand binding was used to evaluate homogenates of synovial membranes.
Research Findings
- Western blot analyses of the equine thalamus showed a band with a molecular weight of 55 kilodaltons (kd), corresponding to that of other opioid receptors. This was the result of using a rabbit antibody against mu-opioid receptors.
- Immunohistochemical staining revealed significant staining in the proliferative lining layer and areas surrounding vascular structures, indicating the presence of mu-opioid receptors.
- Radioligand binding confirmed mu-opioid receptors in homogenates of all group tissues.
- No substantial differences in binding were observed between horses with inflammation and those without.
Conclusions
- The results of the study proved the presence of mu-opioid receptors in the synovial membranes of horses, as suggested by the immunohistochemical analysis and radioligand binding results.
- This research backs up the intra-articular administration of opioids for alleviating post-arthroscopic surgery pain in horses, enhancing the current pain management techniques in equine medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Sheehy JG, Hellyer PW, Sammonds GE, Mama KR, Powers BE, Hendrickson DA, Magnusson KR.
(2001).
Evaluation of opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses.
Am J Vet Res, 62(9), 1408-1412.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1408 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Professional Veterinary Medicine Program, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80524, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthroscopy / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Inflammation / metabolism
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Naloxone / pharmacology
- Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
- Stifle / metabolism
- Stifle / pathology
- Stifle / surgery
- Synovial Membrane / metabolism
- Synovial Membrane / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Skiöldebrand E, Ley C, Björklund U, Lindahl A, Hansson E. Serotonin-evoked cytosolic Ca(2+) release and opioid receptor expression are upregulated in articular cartilage chondrocytes from osteoarthritic joints in horses. Vet Anim Sci 2019 Dec;8:100078.
- Di Salvo A, Chiaradia E, Della Rocca G, Giorgi M, Mancini F, Marenzoni ML, Conti MB, Nannarone S. Efficacy, chondrotoxicity and plasma concentrations of tramadol following intra-articular administration in horses undergoing arthroscopy: preliminary findings. Vet Q 2018 Dec;38(1):129-137.
- Mousa SA, Straub RH, Schäfer M, Stein C. Beta-endorphin, Met-enkephalin and corresponding opioid receptors within synovium of patients with joint trauma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2007 Jul;66(7):871-9.
- McDougall JJ, Baker CL, Hermann PM. Attenuation of knee joint inflammation by peripherally administered endomorphin-1. J Mol Neurosci 2004;22(1-2):125-37.
- Valverde A, Cribb N, Arroyo L. Morphine concentrations in distal thoracic limb synovial fluid following intravenous regional limb perfusion in horses. Can J Vet Res 2023 Oct;87(4):254-259.
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