Relationship Between Neutrophil Activity, Oxidative Stress, Acute Phase Response, and Lameness Grade in Naturally Occurring Acute and Chronic Joint Disorders in Horses.

The research article investigates how neutrophil response, acute phase response (APR), and oxidative stress parameters behave in horses affected by joint disorders. The study found that all these parameters increased significantly in horses with joint disorders, suggesting heightened inflammatory response in such conditions. The parameters were compared with the severity of lameness in the horses, showing a positive correlation.

Study Objectives and Methods

• The main objective of the study was to evaluate the level of neutrophil response, oxidative stress, and APR in horses with joint disorders.
• Neutrophil activity was measured on the basis of elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and alkaline phosphatase release.
• Free radical generation was assessed based on nitric oxide and superoxide production.
• The APR was estimated on the basis of plasma concentration of fibrinogen or haptoglobin and oxidative stress was determined by the malondialdehyde plasma concentration.
• The parameters above were then cross-checked against the grade of lameness in the horses and a correlation was calculated.

Test Groups and Results

• The study involved 43 horses in total: 17 healthy horses (control group), 11 with acute lameness (AL group) and 15 with chronic lameness (CL group).
• The results showed that neutrophil activity was significantly higher (P < .01) in the AL and CL groups compared to the healthy group.
• The elastase release was highest in the AL group (67.28 ± 1.89% of maximal activity), compared to the healthy horses (51.72 ± 1.75%) and the CL group (62.61 ± 1.54%).
• Other enzymes also showed their highest values in the AL group.
• Additionally, the release of elastase and MPO showed a positive correlation with the grades of lameness (P < .01) in the AL group.

Implications of the Study

• The results unveiling the relationship between the parameters studied could be valuable in devising new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute and chronic joint disorders in horses.