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American journal of veterinary research2009; 70(2); 203-209; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.2.203

Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or sodium hyaluronan administered intra-articularly for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis.

Abstract: To assess clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) or sodium hyaluronan administered intra-articularly in treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in 1 middle carpal joint of all horses. Eight horses received hyaluronan (20 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) intra-articularly on study days 14, 21, and 28. Eight horses received PSGAG (250 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) intra-articularly on study days 14, 21, and 28. Eight control horses received 2 mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution and amikacin (125 mg) intra-articularly on study days 14, 21, and 28. Clinical, radiographic, synovial fluid analysis, gross, histologic, histochemical, and biochemical findings were evaluated. Results: No adverse treatment-related events were detected. Induced osteoarthritis caused a substantial change in lameness, response to flexion, joint effusion, and radiographic findings, and of these, synovial fluid effusion was reduced with PSGAG, compared with control horses. No changes in clinical signs were seen with PSGAG or hyaluronan, compared with control horses. Histologically, the degree of synovial membrane vascularity and subintimal fibrosis was significantly reduced with PSGAG treatment, compared with controls. Histologically, significantly less fibrillation was seen with hyaluronan treatment, compared with controls. Conclusions: Results indicated that PSGAG and hyaluronan had beneficial disease-modifying effects and are viable therapeutic options for osteoarthritis in horses.
Publication Date: 2009-02-24 PubMed ID: 19231952DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.70.2.203Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article investigates the effectiveness of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) or sodium hyaluronan when delivered directly into the joint for treating experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses. The results suggest both substances may offer beneficial effects in managing the disease.

Methods

  • The experiment involved 24 horses, in which osteoarthritis was intentionally induced in one of their middle carpal joints through arthroscopic procedures.
  • Eight horses then received an intra-articular treatment of hyaluronan (20 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) on the 14th, 21st, and 28th days of the study.
  • Another group of horses (also eight) received intra-articular injections of PSGAG (250 mg) and amikacin (125 mg) on the same set of days.
  • The control group, composed of the remaining eight horses, was subjected to intra-articular injections of a saline solution and amikacin on the specified study days.
  • Different aspects such as clinical and radiographic findings, synovial fluid analysis, and histologic, histochemical, and biochemical findings were evaluated to measure the effects of the treatments.

Results

  • The research did not identify any harmful incidents associated with the treatment.
  • Osteoarthritis induced notable changes in the lameness of the animal, response to flexion, joint effusion and radiographic findings.
  • The administration of PSGAG lessened the synovial fluid effusion when compared to the control horses.
  • However, both PSGAG and hyaluronan did not modify any clinical signs compared to the control group.
  • Administering PSGAG effectively reduced the severity of synovial membrane vascularity and subintimal fibrosis (under-layer of tissue scarring) compared to the control group.
  • Significantly less fibrillation (fibrous or thread-like formations) was observed in the hyaluronan-treated group compared to controls.

Conclusions

  • The results support the notion that both PSGAG and hyaluronan can have disease-modifying effects on osteoarthritis in horses.
  • Hence, both substances are considered potential therapeutic options in managing horse osteoarthritis.

Cite This Article

APA
Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Werpy NM. (2009). Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or sodium hyaluronan administered intra-articularly for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Am J Vet Res, 70(2), 203-209. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.2.203

Publication

ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 2
Pages: 203-209

Researcher Affiliations

Frisbie, David D
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1678, USA.
Kawcak, Chris E
    McIlwraith, C Wayne
      Werpy, Natasha M

        MeSH Terms

        • Amikacin
        • Analysis of Variance
        • Animals
        • Arthrography / veterinary
        • Glycosaminoglycans / administration & dosage
        • Glycosaminoglycans / therapeutic use
        • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
        • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
        • Horses
        • Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
        • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use
        • Injections, Intra-Articular
        • Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
        • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
        • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
        • Synovial Fluid / chemistry

        Citations

        This article has been cited 15 times.
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