Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Morphological and histochemical analysis of a case of superficial digital flexor tendon injury in the horse.
Abstract: This report compares the morphology and the concentrations of glycos-aminoglycans (GAGs) in an injured superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of a horse with those of a normal tendon. An injured 6-year-old male Thoroughbred exhibited heat and swelling around the SDFT of the right forelimb. On histopathological examination, exuberant granulation was observed in the affected tendon, with activated tenocytes, angiogenesis, haemorrhage, and infiltration of small numbers of leucocytes. The collagen fibres were loosely packed and irregularly arranged. The diameter of control collagen fibrils was 20-360 nm and that of affected collagen fibrils 20-240 nm. In the analysis of GAGs in the matrix, hyaluronic acid (HA), dermatan sulphate (DS), and chondroitin sulphate (CS) were found to be major components in both control and affected tendons. Increases in DS in the affected tendon were striking. Our observations suggest that fibrillogenesis was activated by increases in DS and decreases in HA and CS. It is also assumed that absence of collagen fibrils of normal thickness and in a parallel arrangement reflected the morphological and biochemical characteristics of fibrillogenesis in the injured tendon. If the inflammatory features of an injured tendon could be altered, it might return eventually to its normal structure.
Copyright 1999 W.B. Saunders Company Ltd.
Publication Date: 1999-04-20 PubMed ID: 10208736DOI: 10.1053/jcpa.1998.0288Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 study investigates the changes in the structure and specific biochemical components of a horse’s superficial digital flexor tendon following injury. The research revealed significantly altered collagen structure and concentrations of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the injured tendon compared to a normal one, suggesting the body’s attempt to heal the damage.
Morphological and Histochemical Analysis
The study dissected the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of an injured 6-year-old male Thoroughbred horse. The researchers observed:
- An abundance of new granulation tissue, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), minor infiltration by white blood cells, and evidence of bleeding.
- Increased activity in tenocytes, the cells responsible for collagen production in tendons.
- A looser and more disorderly arrangement of collagen fibers in the injured tendon compared to a normal one, suggesting a change in the tendon’s structural organization due to injury.
- A narrower range in the diameter of collagen fibrils in the injured tendon, possibly indicating a disruption in collagen production or assembly.
Glycosaminoglycan Content
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as hyaluronic acid (HA), dermatan sulphate (DS), and chondroitin sulphate (CS) are critical components of the extracellular matrix in tendons, contributing to their strength and flexibility. The researchers found:
- Similar main composition of GAGs in both the injured and normal tendon, including HA, DS, and CS.
- A notable increase in DS levels in the injured tendon, suggesting this component may be involved in the tendon’s attempt to recover.
- Changes in HA and CS content, with a decrease noted in the injured tendon. The researchers hypothesize this could have stimulated the production of new collagen fibers, a process known as fibrillogenesis.
Conclusions
The study concludes that injury to the SDFT changes its collagen structure and GAG content, reflecting the body’s efforts to repair the damage. The observed disruption in the tendon’s structure and biochemical composition indicate abnormal fibrillogenesis in response to the injury. The researchers suggest that modulating the inflammatory response to tendon injury could potentially help it regain its normal structure over time. They highlight the need for further research to validate this hypothesis and develop therapeutic interventions.
Cite This Article
APA
Kobayashi A, Sugisaka M, Takehana K, Yamaguchi M, Eerdunchaolu , Iwasa EK, Abe M.
(1999).
Morphological and histochemical analysis of a case of superficial digital flexor tendon injury in the horse.
J Comp Pathol, 120(4), 403-414.
https://doi.org/10.1053/jcpa.1998.0288 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai-Midorimachi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-0851, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Collagen / chemistry
- Collagen / ultrastructure
- Glycosaminoglycans / analysis
- Horses
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Tendon Injuries / pathology
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Tendons / pathology
- Tendons / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Peffers MJ, Thorpe CT, Collins JA, Eong R, Wei TK, Screen HR, Clegg PD. Proteomic analysis reveals age-related changes in tendon matrix composition, with age- and injury-specific matrix fragmentation. J Biol Chem 2014 Sep 12;289(37):25867-78.
- Williams RM, Zipfel WR, Webb WW. Interpreting second-harmonic generation images of collagen I fibrils. Biophys J 2005 Feb;88(2):1377-86.
- Hosoyamada Y, Kurihara H, Sakai T. Ultrastructural localisation and size distribution of collagen fibrils in Glisson's sheath of rat liver: implications for mechanical environment and possible producing cells. J Anat 2000 Apr;196 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3):327-40.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
