FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Revisiting predictive biomarkers of musculoskeletal injury i...
BMC veterinary research2019; 15(1); 66; doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1799-7

Revisiting predictive biomarkers of musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses: longitudinal study in polish population.

Abstract: High prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in racehorses and its impact on horse welfare and racing economics call for improved measures of injury diagnosis and prevention. Serum biomarkers of bone and cartilage metabolism have previously shown promise in prediction of musculoskeletal injuries in horses. This study aimed to re-evaluate usability of the predictive serum biomarkers identified in North American Thoroughbred racehorses in a geographically distinct group of Polish Thoroughbreds. Results: Serum concentrations of bone and cartilage biomarkers: osteocalcin, c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), chondroitin sulfate epitope and c-propeptide of type II procollagen (CPII) were evaluated in the beginning and the next 3 months of one racing season in a cohort of twenty-six 2-year-old Polish racehorses. Exit criteria were diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury, leading to > 5 days off training (n = 8), or completion of 3 study months with no training interruptions (n = 18). Normalized results and matching archival data from 35 2-year-old North American racehorses was used for logistic regression analysis to identify universal predictors of injury. Mean GAG and CPII levels were lower in injured group comparing to control, which is consistent with previous findings in racehorses. These biomarkers were also identified as predictors of injury in the mixed population model. Population origin had no significant effect on predictive value of evaluated biomarkers (Wald test p = 0.137). Decreased osteocalcin and increased c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels in injured horses comparing to controls were specific for Polish population and signalized disruption in bone turnover homeostasis. Conclusions: Changes in serum GAG and CPII in racehorses at risk of injury appear to be similar across distinct populations while dynamics of serum bone marker is more population-specific.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-02-26 PubMed ID: 30808359PubMed Central: PMC6390350DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-1799-7Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 study investigates the usefulness of previously identified serum biomarkers in predicting musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses, using a population of Polish Thoroughbreds in comparison with data from North American Thoroughbreds.

Objective of the Research

  • The study aims to reassess the effectiveness of certain serum biomarkers, which were previously identified in North American Thoroughbreds, in predicting musculoskeletal injuries in a geographically distinct group of Polish Thoroughbreds.

Methodology Employed

  • Twenty-six 2-year-old Polish racehorses were observed over the course of one racing season. Serum concentrations of certain bone and cartilage biomarkers – including osteocalcin, c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), chondroitin sulfate epitope, and c-propeptide of type II procollagen (CPII) – were evaluated at the start and over the next three months.
  • Exit criteria included diagnosis of a musculoskeletal injury that resulted in more than five days off training (eight horses fit this criteria), or completion of three study months without any training interruptions (eighteen horses fit this criteria).
  • The data derived from this were then normalized and assessed alongside archival data from 35 2-year-old North American racehorses, and logistic regression analysis was used to detect universally applicable predictors of injury.

Key Findings

  • The injured group of horses displayed lower mean GAG and CPII levels in comparison to the control group; a result consistent with previous findings on racehorse injuries.
  • The study identified these biomarkers as predictors of injury within the mixed population model, and found that the geographical origin of the horses did not appear to significantly affect the predictive value of these biomarkers.
  • Decreased osteocalcin and increased c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels in injured horses – changes indicative of disrupted bone turnover homeostasis – were found to be specific to the Polish population.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that changes in serum GAG and CPII levels among racehorses at risk of injury seem to be similar across different populations, whereas the dynamics of serum bone markers are more population-specific.

Cite This Article

APA
Turlo AJ, Cywinska A, Frisbie DD. (2019). Revisiting predictive biomarkers of musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses: longitudinal study in polish population. BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-1799-7

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 66
PII: 66

Researcher Affiliations

Turlo, Agnieszka J
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, ul. Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
Cywinska, Anna
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, ul. Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
Frisbie, David D
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA. david.frisbie@colostate.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Horses
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Musculoskeletal System / injuries
  • North America
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Risk
  • Wounds and Injuries / blood
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: According to the European directive EU/2010/63 and local law regulating animal experiments, there was no need for the approval of Ethical Committee for the described procedures, as the sample collections were performed as part of routine monthly veterinary examinations requested by the trainers and the owners of the horses. Therefore, procedures qualified as non-experimental clinical veterinary practices are excluded from the directive. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

References

This article includes 49 references
  1. Price JS, Jackson B, Eastell R, Wilson AM, Russell RG, Lanyon LE, Goodship AE. The response of the skeleton to physical training: a biochemical study in horses.. Bone 1995 Sep;17(3):221-7.
    doi: 10.1016/8756-3282(95)00221-Xpubmed: 8541134google scholar: lookup
  2. Dyson PK, Jackson BF, Pfeiffer DU, Price JS. Days lost from training by two- and three-year-old Thoroughbred horses: a survey of seven UK training yards.. Equine Vet J 2008 Nov;40(7):650-7.
    doi: 10.2746/042516408X363242pubmed: 19165934google scholar: lookup
  3. Olivier A, Nurton JP, Guthrie AJ. An epizoological study of wastage in thoroughbred racehorses in Gauteng, South Africa.. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1997 Dec;68(4):125-9.
    doi: 10.4102/jsava.v68i4.893pubmed: 9561496google scholar: lookup
  4. Cogger N, Evans DL, Hodgson DR, Reid SW, Perkins N. Incidence rate of musculoskeletal injuries and determinants of time to recovery in young Australian Thoroughbred racehorses.. Aust Vet J 2008 Dec;86(12):473-80.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00359.xpubmed: 19076769google scholar: lookup
  5. Bolwell CF, Rogers CW, French NP, Firth EC. Risk factors for interruptions to training occurring before the first trial start of 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses.. N Z Vet J 2012 Jul;60(4):241-6.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2012.673163pubmed: 22712776google scholar: lookup
  6. Johnson BJ, Stover SM, Daft BM, Kinde H, Read DH, Barr BC, Anderson M, Moore J, Woods L, Stoltz J. Causes of death in racehorses over a 2 year period.. Equine Vet J 1994 Jul;26(4):327-30.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04395.xpubmed: 8575402google scholar: lookup
  7. Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Jack RA, Case JT, Ardans A, Read DH, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore J, Stoltz J, Woods L. Relationship between race start characteristics and risk of catastrophic injury in thoroughbreds: 78 cases (1992).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Feb 15;212(4):544-9.
    pubmed: 9491163
  8. Beisser AL, McClure S, Wang C, Soring K, Garrison R, Peckham B. Evaluation of catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses at three Midwestern racetracks.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011 Nov 1;239(9):1236-41.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.239.9.1236pubmed: 21999798google scholar: lookup
  9. Lejeune JP, Serteyn D, Gangl M, Schneider N, Deby-Dupont G, Deberg M, Henrotin Y. Plasma concentrations of a type II collagen-derived peptide and its nitrated form in growing Ardenner sound horses and in horses suffering from juvenile digital degenerative osteoarthropathy.. Vet Res Commun 2007 Jul;31(5):591-601.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-007-3518-2pubmed: 17252318google scholar: lookup
  10. Misumi K, Vilim V, Hatazoe T, Murata T, Fujiki M, Oka T, Sakamoto H, Carter SD. Serum level of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine osteoarthritis.. Equine Vet J 2002 Sep;34(6):602-8.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776180205pubmed: 12358001google scholar: lookup
  11. Gangl M, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Schneider N, Grulke S, Peters F, Vila T, Deby-Dupont G, Deberg M, Henrotin Y. A type II-collagen derived peptide and its nitrated form as new markers of inflammation and cartilage degradation in equine osteochondral lesions.. Res Vet Sci 2007 Feb;82(1):68-75.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.03.008pubmed: 16780906google scholar: lookup
  12. Jackson BE, Smith RK, Price JS. A molecular marker of type I collagen metabolism reflects changes in connective tissue remodelling associated with injury to the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.. Equine Vet J 2003 Mar;35(2):211-3.
    doi: 10.2746/042516403776114135pubmed: 12638801google scholar: lookup
  13. Frisbie DD, Al-Sobayil F, Billinghurst RC, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. Changes in synovial fluid and serum biomarkers with exercise and early osteoarthritis in horses.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008 Oct;16(10):1196-204.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2008.03.008pubmed: 18442931google scholar: lookup
  14. McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Rodkey WG, Kisiday JD, Werpy NM, Kawcak CE, Steadman JR. Evaluation of intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells to augment healing of microfractured chondral defects.. Arthroscopy 2011 Nov;27(11):1552-61.
    doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2011.06.002pubmed: 21862278google scholar: lookup
  15. Frisbie DD, Ray CS, Ionescu M, Poole AR, Chapman PL, McIlwraith CW. Measurement of synovial fluid and serum concentrations of the 846 epitope of chondroitin sulfate and of carboxy propeptides of type II procollagen for diagnosis of osteochondral fragmentation in horses.. Am J Vet Res 1999 Mar;60(3):306-9.
    pubmed: 10188811
  16. McIlwraith CW. Use of synovial fluid and serum biomarkers in equine bone and joint disease: a review.. Equine Vet J 2005 Sep;37(5):473-82.
    doi: 10.2746/042516405774480102pubmed: 16163952google scholar: lookup
  17. Verwilghen D, Busoni V, Gangl M, Franck T, Lejeune JP, Vanderheyden L, Detilleux J, Grulke S, Deberg M, Henrotin Y, Serteyn D. Relationship between biochemical markers and radiographic scores in the evaluation of the osteoarticular status of Warmblood stallions.. Res Vet Sci 2009 Oct;87(2):319-28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.02.002pubmed: 19298987google scholar: lookup
  18. Nicholson AM, Trumble TN, Merritt KA, Brown MP. Associations of horse age, joint type, and osteochondral injury with serum and synovial fluid concentrations of type II collagen biomarkers in Thoroughbreds.. Am J Vet Res 2010 Jul;71(7):741-9.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.7.741pubmed: 20594075google scholar: lookup
  19. Jackson BF, Dyson PK, Lonnell C, Verheyen KL, Pfeiffer DU, Price JS. Bone biomarkers and risk of fracture in two- and three-year-old Thoroughbreds.. Equine Vet J 2009 Apr;41(4):410-3.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X416206pubmed: 19562906google scholar: lookup
  20. Jackson BF, Lonnell C, Verheyen KL, Dyson P, Pfeiffer DU, Price JS. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism and risk of dorsal metacarpal disease in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds.. Equine Vet J 2005 Jan;37(1):87-91.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164054406775pubmed: 15651741google scholar: lookup
  21. Frisbie DD, Mc Ilwraith CW, Arthur RM, Blea J, Baker VA, Billinghurst RC. Serum biomarker levels for musculoskeletal disease in two- and three-year-old racing Thoroughbred horses: A prospective study of 130 horses.. Equine Vet J 2010 Oct;42(7):643-51.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00123.xpubmed: 20840580google scholar: lookup
  22. Vervuert I, Coenen M, Wedemeyer U, Harmeyer J. Biochemical markers of bone activity in young standardbred horses during different types of exercise and training.. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2002 Oct;49(8):396-402.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2002.00469.xpubmed: 12450186google scholar: lookup
  23. Inoue Y, Matsui A, Asai Y, Aoki F, Yoshimoto K, Matsui T, Yano H. Response of biochemical markers of bone metabolism to exercise intensity in thoroughbred horses.. J Equine Sci 2008;19(4):83-9.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.19.83pmc: PMC4013950pubmed: 24833958google scholar: lookup
  24. Hiney KM, Potter GD, Gibbs PG, Bloomfield SM. Response of serum biochemical markers of bone metabolism to training in the juvenile racehorse.. J Equine Vet Sci 2000;20:851–857.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(00)80116-1google scholar: lookup
  25. Ramzan PH, Palmer L. Musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses: a study of three large training yards in Newmarket, UK (2005-2007).. Vet J 2011 Mar;187(3):325-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.12.019pubmed: 20089426google scholar: lookup
  26. Parkin TD. Epidemiology of racetrack injuries in racehorses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2008 Apr;24(1):1-19.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2007.11.003pubmed: 18314033google scholar: lookup
  27. Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS. Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries of the lower limbs in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2005 Jun;53(3):171-83.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36502pubmed: 16012587google scholar: lookup
  28. Verheyen K, Price J, Lanyon L, Wood J. Exercise distance and speed affect the risk of fracture in racehorses.. Bone 2006 Dec;39(6):1322-30.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.05.025pubmed: 16926125google scholar: lookup
  29. Hernandez J, Hawkins DL, Scollay MC. Race-start characteristics and risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001 Jan 1;218(1):83-6.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.83pubmed: 11149721google scholar: lookup
  30. Boston RC, Nunamaker DM. Gait and speed as exercise components of risk factors associated with onset of fatigue injury of the third metacarpal bone in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses.. Am J Vet Res 2000 Jun;61(6):602-8.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.602pubmed: 10850832google scholar: lookup
  31. Oikawa M, Kusunose R. Fractures sustained by racehorses in Japan during flat racing with special reference to track condition and racing time.. Vet J 2005 Nov;170(3):369-74.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.08.004pubmed: 16266852google scholar: lookup
  32. Parkin TD, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, Webbon PM, Morgan KL. Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpus/metatarsus in UK racing.. Equine Vet J 2005 May;37(3):192-9.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164054530641pubmed: 15892225google scholar: lookup
  33. Verheyen K, Price J, Wood J. Associations between training surfaces and risk of fracture in thoroughbred racehorses in training.. Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics 2006.
  34. Mohammed HO, Hill T, Lowe J. Risk factors associated with injuries in thoroughbred horses.. Equine Vet J 1991 Nov;23(6):445-8.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb03758.xpubmed: 1778162google scholar: lookup
  35. Hill AE, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Kane AJ, Whitcomb MB, Emerson AG. Risk factors for and outcomes of noncatastrophic suspensory apparatus injury in Thoroughbred racehorses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001 Apr 1;218(7):1136-44.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1136pubmed: 11318366google scholar: lookup
  36. Anthenill LA, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Hill AE. Risk factors for proximal sesamoid bone fractures associated with exercise history and horseshoe characteristics in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Am J Vet Res 2007 Jul;68(7):760-71.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.68.7.760pubmed: 17605612google scholar: lookup
  37. Ross MW, Dyson SJ. The European thoroughbred.. In: Ross MW, Dyson SJ, editors. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the horse. 2. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2011. pp. 879–894.
  38. Arthur RM, Ross MW, Moloney PJ, Cheney MW. North American thoroughbred.. In: Ross MW, Dyson SJ, editors. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the horse. 2. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2011. pp. 868–874.
  39. Mitchell A, Wright G, Sampson SN, Martin M, Cummings K, Gaddy D, Watts AE. Clodronate improves lameness in horses without changing bone turnover markers.. Equine Vet J 2019 May;51(3):356-363.
    pubmed: 30153345doi: 10.1111/evj.13011google scholar: lookup
  40. Hoyt S, Siciliano PD. A comparison of ELISA and RIA techniques for the detection of serum osteocalcin in horses.. Proc Equine Nutr Physiol Symp 1999;16:351–352.
  41. Billinghurst RC, Brama PA, van Weeren PR, Knowlton MS, McIlwraith CW. Significant exercise-related changes in the serum levels of two biomarkers of collagen metabolism in young horses.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2003 Oct;11(10):760-9.
    doi: 10.1016/S1063-4584(03)00152-3pubmed: 13129696google scholar: lookup
  42. Farndale RW, Buttle DJ, Barrett AJ. Improved quantitation and discrimination of sulphated glycosaminoglycans by use of dimethylmethylene blue.. Biochim Biophys Acta 1986 Sep 4;883(2):173-7.
    doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(86)90306-5pubmed: 3091074google scholar: lookup
  43. Kraus VB, Burnett B, Coindreau J, Cottrell S, Eyre D, Gendreau M, Gardiner J, Garnero P, Hardin J, Henrotin Y, Heinegård D, Ko A, Lohmander LS, Matthews G, Menetski J, Moskowitz R, Persiani S, Poole AR, Rousseau JC, Todman M. Application of biomarkers in the development of drugs intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2011 May;19(5):515-42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2010.08.019pmc: PMC3568396pubmed: 21396468google scholar: lookup
  44. Price JS, Jackson BF, Gray JA, Harris PA, Wright IM, Pfeiffer DU, Robins SP, Eastell R, Ricketts SW. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in growing thoroughbreds: a longitudinal study.. Res Vet Sci 2001 Aug;71(1):37-44.
    doi: 10.1053/rvsc.2001.0482pubmed: 11666146google scholar: lookup
  45. Turło A, Cywińska A, Czopowicz M, Witkowski L, Niedźwiedź A, Słowikowska M, Borowicz H, Jaśkiewicz A, Winnicka A. The Effect of Different Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries on Blood Concentration of Serum Amyloid A in Thoroughbred Racehorses.. PLoS One 2015;10(10):e0140673.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140673pmc: PMC4605491pubmed: 26466121google scholar: lookup
  46. Frisbie D, Al-Sobayil F, Billinghurst R, McIlwraith CW. Serum markers differentiate exercise from pathology and correlate to clinical parameters of pain in an osteoarthritic model.. Transactions of the 49th Annual Meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society New Orleans; 2003.
  47. Hipolito C, Hugo F, Oscar A, Benjamin U, Gabriel M. Concentration of the CS-846 epitope in serum and synovial fluid of horses with different grades of osteochondral fragments in the carpal joints.. Gen Med 2016;4:242.
  48. Legrand CB, Lambert CJ, Comblain FV, Sanchez C, Henrotin YE. Review of Soluble Biomarkers of Osteoarthritis: Lessons From Animal Models.. Cartilage 2017 Jul;8(3):211-233.
    doi: 10.1177/1947603516656739pmc: PMC5625856pubmed: 28618869google scholar: lookup
  49. Coppelman E. The use of biomarkers to determine the severity of osteoarthritis in the tarsus of an older horse.. Population 2017.

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Wong ASM, Morrice-West AV, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Changes in Thoroughbred speed and stride characteristics over successive race starts and their association with musculoskeletal injury.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):194-204.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13581pubmed: 35477925google scholar: lookup
  2. Lee S, Baker ME, Clinton M, Taylor SE. Use of Omics Data in Fracture Prediction; a Scoping and Systematic Review in Horses and Humans.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 30;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11040959pubmed: 33808497google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.