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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Pharmacol Ther / Evaluation of the inflammatory response to two intra-articul...
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics2019; 43(1); 38-49; doi: 10.1111/jvp.12818

Evaluation of the inflammatory response to two intra-articular hyaluronic acid formulations in normal equine joints.

Abstract: Intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used to treat equine arthritis. Inflammatory response or "joint flare" is a recognized potential side effect. However, the incidence and severity of inflammation following IA HA injection in horses is not well documented. This study compared the effects of two IA HA formulations of different molecular weight (MW) and a saline control on clinical signs and synovial fluid markers of inflammation in normal equine joints. Eight adult horses each had three healthy fetlock joints randomly assigned to treatment with either 1.4 mega Dalton HA, 0.8 mega Dalton HA or saline control once weekly for three weeks. Clinical evaluation and synovial fluid analysis were performed by blinded assessors. Outcomes of interest were lameness score, joint effusion score and synovial fluid white cell count and differential, total protein, viscosity and serum amyloid A. Joints injected with HA developed significant mild-to-moderate inflammatory responses often associated with lameness and joint effusion compared with saline control joints. The higher MW HA formulation elicited a significantly greater inflammatory response than the lower MW HA after the first injection. In HA injected joints, viscosity remained poor for the entire study. Both IA HA formulations in this study induced an inflammatory response in healthy equine joints. This may have implications for the use of HA in equine joints. The findings in this study are limited to the two HA formulations used. Further investigation of different HA formulations and the use of HA in normal and arthritic equine joints is warranted.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-29 PubMed ID: 31660636DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12818Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article analyses the effects of two different molecular weight formulations of intra-articular hyaluronic acid on healthy horse joints, with results showing a mild-to-moderate inflammatory response often leading to lameness and joint effusion.

Objective

The aim of the study was to ascertain the severity and frequency of inflammation in horse joints after they underwent injections with hyaluronic acid. The study also sought to assess and contrast the impacts of two different molecular weight (MW) formulations of hyaluronic acid and a saline solution on markers of inflammation present in synovial fluid in normal horse joints.

Method

  • Eight adult horses were selected, each having three healthy fetlock joints randomly chosen for treatment with 1.4 mega Dalton HA, 0.8 mega Dalton HA, or a saline control. The treatments were administered once a week for three weeks.
  • A clinical evaluation was carried out and synovial fluid was analysed by assessors who were unaware of the treatment the horses had received.
  • The study focused on outcomes such as lameness score, joint effusion score and synovial fluid white cell count and differential, total protein, viscosity and serum amyloid A.

Results

  • The joints subjected to hyaluronic acid surfaced a significant mild-to-moderate inflammatory reaction frequently associated with lameness and joint effusion, in comparison to joints that received saline treatment.
  • The formulation with the higher MW induced a notably higher inflammatory response than the lower MW version after the first injection.
  • Throughout the entire study, the viscosity in joints injected with HA remained poor.

Conclusion

Both hyaluronic acid formulations used in this research led to an inflammatory response in healthy horse joints. This could be a consideration for the future use of hyaluronic acid in horse joints. The conclusions from this research are limited to the specific hyaluronic acid formulations studied. As such, further research is recommended using a variety of hyaluronic acid formulations on both healthy and arthritic horse joints.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnston GCA, Wood KA, Jackson KV, Perkins NR, Zedler ST. (2019). Evaluation of the inflammatory response to two intra-articular hyaluronic acid formulations in normal equine joints. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 43(1), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12818

Publication

Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
ISSN: 1365-2885
NlmUniqueID: 7910920
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Pages: 38-49

Researcher Affiliations

Johnston, Georgina C A
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.
Wood, Kelly A
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.
Jackson, Karen V
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.
Perkins, Nigel R
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.
Zedler, Steven T
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Compounding
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Female
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Hyaluronic Acid / adverse effects
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
  • Inflammation
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Lameness, Animal / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Synovial Fluid / chemistry
  • Synovial Fluid / cytology

Grant Funding

  • Randlab Pty Ltd
  • University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science

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