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Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2014; 78(1); 50-60;

Relevance of synovial fluid chondroitin sulphate as a biomarker to monitor polo pony joints.

Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the metacarpophalangeal joint is the most common articular disease in polo ponies leading to early retirement. A biomarker that would discriminate between pathological and physiological changes secondary to exercise could be helpful in OA prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polo training on synovial fluid biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage turnover in polo ponies of different skill levels. Synovial fluid samples were collected from metacarpophalangeal joints of polo ponies before and during the polo season (320 d). Nucleated cells, soluble protein, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), glycosaminoglycans (GAG), and urea were measured. The main synovial fluid GAG are chondroitin sulphate (CS, ~25 μg/mL) and hyaluronic acid (HA, ~400 μg/mL). After a polo match, a transitory increase in protein and PGE2, but not CS and HA, occurred (expressed as urea ratio), returning to basal levels in 24 h. During the polo season, the number of synovial fluid nucleated cells was always in the normal range. Increases in protein and HA occurred during the initial 40 to 80 d, returning to basal levels afterwards. In contrast, in polo prospects the concentration of CS steadily increased during the season. Long-term follow-up revealed that the synovial fluid CS was significantly higher in polo ponies that developed joint diseases within 24 months following our study. In conclusion, CS seems to be an early marker of articular cartilage damage. L’arthrose (OA) de l’articulation métacarpophalangienne est la maladie articulaire la plus fréquente chez les poneys de polo menant à la retraite anticipée. Un biomarqueur qui était discriminateur entre les changements pathologiques et physiologiques secondaires au exercice pourrait être utile pour la prévention de l’OA. L’objectif de la présente étude était examiner les effets de l’activité de polo sur les biomarqueurs de l’inflammation et de le métabolisme de la cartilage dans le liquide synovial des poneys de polo de différents niveaux de qualification. Le SF était obtenu à partir de les articulations métacarpophalangiennes de poneys de polo, avant et pendant la saison de polo (320 jours). Les cellules nucléés, protéine soluble, prostaglandine E (PGE), glycosaminoglycanes (GAG) et l’urée ont été mesurés. Les principaux GAG de le liquide synovial sont le chondroïtine sulfate (CS, ~25 μg/mL) et l’acide hyaluronique (HA, ~400 μg/mL). Après un match de polo, ocorru une augmentation transitoire de la protéine et de la PGE, mais pas de CS et de HA (exprimé comme le raison d’urée), qui a retourné aux niveaux basal dans 24 h. Pendant la saison de polo, le numero de cellules nucléés dans le liquide synovial était toujours normaux. La protéine et le HA augmentaient pendant les premiers 40–80 jours, mais tous les deux sont retournés aux niveaux de base plus tard. En contraste, dans le group de jeunes poneys (G1), la concentration de CS a augmenté régulièrement pendant la saison. Accompagnant à long terme avait révéle que le CS de liquide synovial était significativement plus élevée chez les poneys de polo que, dans les 24 mois suivants, avaient developpé des maladies articulaires. En conclusion, le CS du liquide synovial semble être un marqueur précoce des destructions de la cartilage articulaire.(Traduit par les auteurs).
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Publication Date: 2014-01-08 PubMed ID: 24396181PubMed Central: PMC3878009
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  • 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.

The research article observes the effect of polo training on the joints of polo ponies, particularly noting an increased concentration of chondroitin sulphate – a compound involved in cartilage health – as an early indicator of joint disease.

Study Purpose

  • This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the impact of polo training on the health of the metacarpophalangeal joint – an area in polo ponies that frequently develops osteoarthritis (OA). The researchers hoped to identify a biomarker that could distinguish between normal physiological changes due to exercise, and pathological changes indicating the development of OA.

Methods and Measurements

  • Synovial fluid, which surrounds the joints, was collected from the ponies before and during the polo season (320 days). The researchers then analyzed this fluid to measure levels of nucleated cells, soluble protein, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), glycosaminoglycans (GAG), and urea.
  • The main types of GAG studied were chondroitin sulphate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA). The concentration of these compounds in the fluid could provide insights into the health of the joints.

Results

  • The study observed that after a polo match, there was a temporary increase in protein and PGE2 levels, which returned to normal within 24 hours. However, there was no significant change in CS and HA levels.
  • Throughout the polo season, the number of nucleated cells in the synovial fluid remained normal.
  • Protein and HA did see an increase during the initial 40 to 80 days of the season, before returning to normal levels. But interestingly, the concentration of CS steadily increased throughout the season in polo ponies that were new to the sport.

Long-term Observations

  • On long-term follow-up, it was found that this increased concentration of synovial fluid CS was significantly higher in ponies that developed joint diseases within the next 24 months.

Conclusion

  • The key outcome of this study is the identification of an increase in synovial fluid CS as an early marker of joint disease in polo ponies. This paves the way for proactive maintenance and early treatment, potentially reducing incidences of early retirements due to OA in these animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Baccarin RY, Rasera L, Machado TS, Michelacci YM. (2014). Relevance of synovial fluid chondroitin sulphate as a biomarker to monitor polo pony joints. Can J Vet Res, 78(1), 50-60.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 78
Issue: 1
Pages: 50-60

Researcher Affiliations

Baccarin, Raquel Y A
  • Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Baccarin, Rasera, Machado); and Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Michelacci).
Rasera, Luciane
  • Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Baccarin, Rasera, Machado); and Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Michelacci).
Machado, Thaís S L
  • Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Baccarin, Rasera, Machado); and Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Michelacci).
Michelacci, Yara M
  • Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Baccarin, Rasera, Machado); and Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil (Michelacci).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / chemistry
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / metabolism
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Horses
  • Joint Diseases / diagnosis
  • Joint Diseases / veterinary
  • Male
  • Synovial Fluid / chemistry

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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