Evaluation of the effect of experimentally induced cartilage defect and intra-articular hyaluronan on synovial fluid biomarkers in intercarpal joints of horses.
Abstract: Inflammatory and degenerative activity inside the joint can be studied in vivo by analysis of synovial fluid biomarkers. In addition to pro-inflammatory mediators, several anabolic and anti-inflammatory substances are produced during the disease process. They counteract the catabolic effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and thus diminish the cartilage damage. The response of synovial fluid biomarkers after intra-articular hyaluronan injection, alone or in combination with other substances, has been examined only in a few equine studies. The effects of hyaluronan on some pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2, have been documented but especially the effects on synovial fluid anti-inflammatory mediators are less studied. In animal models hyaluronan has been demonstrated to reduce pain via protecting nociceptive nerve endings and by blocking pain receptor channels. However, the results obtained for pain-relief of human osteoarthritis are contradictory. The aim of the study was to measure the synovial fluid IL-1ra, PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and TNF-α concentrations before and after surgically induced cartilage defect, and following intra-articular hyaluronan injection in horses. Eight Standardbred horses underwent bilateral arthroscopic surgeries of their intercarpal joints under general anaesthesia, and cartilage defect was created on the dorsal edge of the third carpal bone of one randomly selected intercarpal joint of each horse. Five days post-surgery, one randomly selected intercarpal joint was injected intra-articular with 3 mL HA (20 mg/mL). Results: Operation type had no significant effect on the synovial fluid IL-1ra, PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and TNF-α concentrations but compared with baseline, synovial fluid IL-1ra and TNF-α concentrations increased. Intra-articular hyaluronan had no significant effect on the biomarker concentrations but a trend of mild improvement in the clinical signs of intra-articular inflammation was seen. Conclusions: Creation of the cartilage defect and sham-operation lead to an increase of synovial fluid IL-1ra and TNF-α concentrations but changes in concentrations of anabolic growth factors TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB could not be documented 5 days after the arthroscopy. Intra-articular hyaluronan was well tolerated. Further research is needed to document possible treatment effects of intra-articular hyaluronan on the synovial fluid biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage metabolism.
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This research investigates how hyaluronan injections and a surgically induced cartilage defect influence inflammation indicators in a horse’s joint fluid. The study observed no significant change in inflammatory and growth factors following the surgery or hyaluronan injection, although there was a hint of slight reduction in inflammation signs.
Study Overview
Researchers analyzed inflammatory and degenerative activities using joint fluid biomarkers. Several anti-inflammatory substances and anabolic produced during the disease process were also examined.
Prior equine studies have examined synovial fluid biomarkers in response to hyaluronan injection. While there has been documented evidence of hyaluronan impacting pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E, its effects on anti-inflammatory mediators in synovial fluid remain less studied.
Study Aim and Procedure
The aim of this study was to measure four types of synovial fluid concentrations (IL-1ra, PDGF-BB, TGF-β, and TNF-α) before and after a cartilage defect was surgically induced, and following an injection of hyaluronan, a substance used to treat joint pain.
Eight Standardbred horses underwent bilateral arthroscopic surgeries, and a cartilage defect was created on the dorsal edge of the third carpal bone of one randomly selected intercarpal joint of each horse.
Five days after surgery, one of the joints was injected with hyaluronan.
Results of the Study
The type of operation (creation of a cartilage defect vs. sham-operation) did not significantly affect the synovial fluid concentrations of the four biomarkers studied.
A notable increase in the concentrations of IL-1ra and TNF-α was observed compared to baseline values. This suggests the induced cartilage defects spurred an inflammatory response.
The intra-articular hyaluronan injection did not have a significant effect on the concentration of the biomarkers. However, there was a trend indicating mild improvements in inflammation signs in the joint.
Conclusions and Further Research
In conclusion, under the study conditions, the creation of a cartilage defect and sham-operation led to an increase of IL-1ra and TNF-α concentrations in synovial fluid.
Changes in the concentrations of anabolic growth factors TGF-β and PDGF-BB could not be documented five days after the procedure.
Also, despite showing no significant effect on the discussed biomarker concentrations, the intra-articular hyaluronan was well tolerated by the horses.
These results necessitate further investigation to better understand the possible treatment effects of intra-articular hyaluronan on the joint fluid biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage metabolism in equine medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Niemelä TM, Tulamo RM, Carmona JU, López C.
(2019).
Evaluation of the effect of experimentally induced cartilage defect and intra-articular hyaluronan on synovial fluid biomarkers in intercarpal joints of horses.
Acta Vet Scand, 61(1), 24.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-019-0460-6
Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. tytti.niemela@helsinki.fi.
Tulamo, Riitta-Mari
Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
Carmona, Jorge Uriel
Grupo de Investigación Terapia Regenerativa, Departamento de Salud Animal, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No26-10, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
López, Catalina
Grupo de Investigación Terapia Regenerativa, Departamento de Salud Animal, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No26-10, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Biomarkers / analysis
Biomarkers / metabolism
Carpal Joints / drug effects
Carpal Joints / pathology
Carpal Joints / surgery
Cartilage Diseases / diagnosis
Cartilage Diseases / pathology
Horse Diseases / diagnosis
Horse Diseases / pathology
Horses
Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / analysis
Synovial Fluid / chemistry
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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