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Equine veterinary journal2010; 42(7); 643-651; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00123.x

Serum biomarker levels for musculoskeletal disease in two- and three-year-old racing Thoroughbred horses: A prospective study of 130 horses.

Abstract: Biomarkers have shown some in vivo promise for the detection of musculoskeletal injuries, but further study to assess biomarker levels in clinical orthopaedic disease is required. Objective: To assess 7 serum biomarkers for the detection of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: Two- and 3-year-old racehorses were entered into the study (n = 238). Exit criteria were lack of training for >30 days, or completion of 10 study months. Data from horses with solitary musculoskeletal injuries and completion of >2 months were analysed. Musculoskeletal injury was considered intra-articular fragmentation (IAF), tendon or ligamentous injury (TL), stress fractures (SF) and dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD). Monthly lameness examination and serum collection were performed. Serum was analysed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG), type I and II collagen degradation (C1, 2C), type II collagen synthesis (CPII), type II collagen degradation (Col CEQ), aggrecan synthesis (CS846), osteocalcin (OC) as a marker of bone formation and (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) CTX as a marker of bone degradation. Results: Of the 238 horses 59 injured and 71 uninjured control horses met the analysis criteria. Based on injury no significant differences in the proportions were observed for age, gender or lesion type, although a higher proportion of injuries occurred at the beginning of the study. Of injured horses, 16 (27%) sustained an IAF, 17 (29%) a TL injury, 7 (12%) SF and 19 (32%) were diagnosed with DMD. There were significant changes seen in biomarkers based on the injury incurred when longitudinal samples were assessed. Furthermore, based on the serum biomarkers collected prior to injury, horses could be correctly classified as injured or uninjured 73.8% of the time. Conclusions: A unique biomarker pattern occurred before each injury and this was beneficial in classifying horses as injured or uninjured. Conclusions: Biomarkers have the potential to be used as a screening aid prior to musculoskeletal injury.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2010-09-16 PubMed ID: 20840580DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00123.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study tested the ability of seven different biomarkers to accurately predict musculoskeletal injuries in racing Thoroughbred horses aged two and three years old. The results indicated that the presence of these biomarkers could correctly classify a horse as injured or not injured around 73.8% of the time before an injury occurred.

Introduction and Objectives

  • The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of seven serum biomarkers in detecting musculoskeletal injuries in young racing Thoroughbred horses.
  • The objective was to investigate if a specific pattern of these biomarkers appeared before an injury, possibly aiding in predicting and preventing musculoskeletal injuries in thoroughbred horses.

Methodology

  • A total of 238 two and three-year-old racehorses entered the study.
  • Study criteria required horses to either stop training for more than 30 days or finish 10 months of the study.
  • A monthly lameness examination and serum collection were performed on the horses.
  • The serum was analyzed for the presence of seven biomarkers associated with bone and cartilage function and metabolism.

Results

  • Out of the initial 238 horses, 130 (59 injured and 71 uninjured control horses) met the criteria for analysis.
  • Of the injured horses, there were 16 cases of intra-articular fragmentation, 17 tendon or ligamentous injuries, 7 stress fractures, and 19 cases of dorsal metacarpal disease.
  • There were significant variations seen in biomarkers based on the type of injury when longitudinal samples were studied.
  • It was found that, prior to injury, the serum biomarkers could correctly classify horses as injured or uninjured 73.8% of the time.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that each type of injury had a unique biomarker pattern preceding it.
  • These unique biomarker patterns could potentially be beneficial in predicting and classifying whether horses would get injured, leading to advanced intervention and prevention tactics.
  • Thus, biomarkers have the potential to be used as a screening tool to predict possible musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Frisbie DD, Mc Ilwraith CW, Arthur RM, Blea J, Baker VA, Billinghurst RC. (2010). Serum biomarker levels for musculoskeletal disease in two- and three-year-old racing Thoroughbred horses: A prospective study of 130 horses. Equine Vet J, 42(7), 643-651. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00123.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 7
Pages: 643-651

Researcher Affiliations

Frisbie, D D
  • Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, USA. dfrisbie@colostate.edu
Mc Ilwraith, C W
    Arthur, R M
      Blea, J
        Baker, V A
          Billinghurst, R C

            MeSH Terms

            • Aging
            • Animals
            • Biomarkers
            • Horse Diseases / blood
            • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
            • Horses
            • Muscle, Skeletal / injuries
            • Muscular Diseases / blood
            • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
            • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
            • Physical Conditioning, Animal
            • Prospective Studies
            • Sports

            Citations

            This article has been cited 12 times.
            1. Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
              doi: 10.1111/evj.14098pubmed: 38634210google scholar: lookup
            2. Panizzi L, Vignes M, Dittmer KE, Waterland MR, Rogers CW, Sano H, McIlwraith CW, Riley CB. Infrared Spectroscopy of Synovial Fluid Shows Accuracy as an Early Biomarker in an Equine Model of Traumatic Osteoarthritis. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 22;14(7).
              doi: 10.3390/ani14070986pubmed: 38612225google scholar: lookup
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              doi: 10.1111/evj.13581pubmed: 35477925google scholar: lookup
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              doi: 10.3390/ani11040959pubmed: 33808497google scholar: lookup
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              doi: 10.1155/2020/4064209pubmed: 32099639google scholar: lookup
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              doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1799-7pubmed: 30808359google scholar: lookup
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