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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Inflammatory mediators are potential biomarkers for extracor...
Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(3); 449-454; doi: 10.1111/evj.13183

Inflammatory mediators are potential biomarkers for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in horses.

Abstract: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can potentially mask painful injuries in equine athletes. Tests to detect whether a horse has received ESWT prior to competition are needed. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is known to affect inflammatory mediators in other species, and if these mediators are altered in the horse, these could serve as biomarkers of ESWT. Objective: To test the hypothesis that a single application of ESWT will alter the circulating protein concentrations of 10 inflammatory mediators in horse plasma. Methods: Prospective repeated measures experimental study. Methods: Eleven healthy horses were administered a single dose of ESWT on the dorsal surface of proximal MCIII. Blood samples were collected at -168, -144, -120, -96, -72, -70, -68, -66, -48, -24, -6, -4, -2, 0 h before and 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 168, 336 and 504 h after ESWT. Plasma concentrations of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), soluble toll-like receptor 2 (sTLR2) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured to assess the effects of ESWT on these mediators. Results: Baseline concentrations of inflammatory mediators did not change substantially during the week prior to ESWT. Plasma concentrations of five inflammatory factors changed following ESWT. IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), while TNF-α, IL-1RA and TLR2 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The remaining cytokines were not significantly affected by ESWT. Conclusions: This study was performed in a small number of sedentary, healthy pasture-kept horses using a single dose of ESWT applied to a single location. Additional studies are necessary to determine the effect of ESWT on inflammatory mediators in athletic horses undergoing treatment for musculoskeletal injuries. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6 and TLR2 were significantly affected by ESWT, and deserve further investigation as possible biomarkers of ESWT.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-16 PubMed ID: 31505057DOI: 10.1111/evj.13183Google 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.

The research paper investigates the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on the circulating protein concentrations of 10 inflammatory mediators in horse plasma, with the prospect of these mediators serving as possible biomarkers for ESWT in horses.

Objective and Hypothesis

  • The objective of this study revolved around the potential masking of painful injuries in horses, specifically equine athletes, following ESWT— a known influencer of inflammatory mediators. It seeks to identify a method of detecting whether a horse has received ESWT prior to competition.
  • The researchers hypothesize that a single application of ESWT alters the circulating protein concentrations of 10 inflammatory mediators present in horse plasma.

Methods

  • The study was designed as a prospective repeated measures experiment involving eleven healthy horses.
  • Each horse was administered a single dose of ESWT on the dorsal surface of proximal MCIII.
  • Regular blood samples were collected at several specified intervals before and after ESWT.
  • Plasma concentrations of 10 inflammatory mediators were measured to ascertain the effects of ESWT on these. The inflammatory mediators considered included IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, IFN-γ, sTLR2, and TNF-α.

Results

  • Baseline concentrations of inflammatory mediators remained largely unchanged in the week before the ESWT was administered.
  • Post-ESWT, significant change in plasma concentrations of five inflammatory factors were observed: IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly down-regulated, while TNF-α, IL-1RA, and TLR2 were significantly up-regulated.
  • The remaining inflammatory mediators did not demonstrate significant changes as a result of ESWT.

Conclusions

  • The study was conducted on a limited number of sedentary, healthy, pasture-kept horses and the ESWT was applied at a single location, hence additional studies involving athletic horses and multiple treatment locations will be required for further investigation.
  • Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, and TLR2 showed significant change post-ESWT, making them potential candidates as biomarkers of ESWT, deserving further investigation.

Cite This Article

APA
Chen JW, Stefanovski D, Haughan J, Jiang Z, Boston R, Soma LR, Robinson MA. (2019). Inflammatory mediators are potential biomarkers for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in horses. Equine Vet J, 52(3), 449-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13183

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 3
Pages: 449-454

Researcher Affiliations

Chen, J-W
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Stefanovski, D
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Haughan, J
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Jiang, Z
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Boston, R
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Soma, L R
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Robinson, M A
  • Department of Clinical Studies- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory, West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Prospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • PA Racing Commissions
  • PA Harness Horsemen Association
  • Chester Downs
  • Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
  • Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
  • Penn National
  • Presque Isles Downs

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Qiu Z, Wang J, Zhang Y, Liu X, Wei C, Ma T. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for equine musculoskeletal disorders: from biological mechanisms to clinical applications. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1719123.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1719123pubmed: 41487475google scholar: lookup
  2. Khadour FA, Khadour YA, Khouly OI, Dao X. Combined low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and extracorporeal shock wave therapy reduces pain and inflammation in knee osteoarthritis patients. Sci Rep 2025 Nov 29;16(1):1221.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30807-7pubmed: 41318817google scholar: lookup
  3. Khadour FA, Khadour YA, Alharbi NSK. Synergistic effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in knee osteoarthritis: clinical outcomes and biochemical mechanisms. J Orthop Surg Res 2025 Oct 29;20(1):942.
    doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-06384-wpubmed: 41163023google scholar: lookup
  4. Wang S, Huang S, Xu X, Liu R. Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave with different frequencies on acute skeletal muscle injury in rabbits. Sci Rep 2024 Sep 11;14(1):21276.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72371-6pubmed: 39261623google scholar: lookup
  5. Liu S, Chen Q, Zhang Q, Tao K, Li C, Chang B, Wang W, Wu Z. Electroacupuncture combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves pain symptoms and inflammatory factor levels in knee osteoarthritis patients. Heliyon 2023 Oct;9(10):e20771.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20771pubmed: 37842584google scholar: lookup
  6. Guo J, Hai H, Ma Y. Application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in nervous system diseases: A review. Front Neurol 2022;13:963849.
    doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.963849pubmed: 36062022google scholar: lookup
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