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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2013; 198(1); 217-223; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.07.020

Synovial fluid growth factor and cytokine concentrations after intra-articular injection of a platelet-rich product in horses.

Abstract: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) products may be useful for treatment of joint disease in horses, but may contain undesirable pro-inflammatory cytokines in addition to growth factors. This study investigated whether autologous PRP increases synovial fluid growth factor and cytokine concentrations when injected into normal equine metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joints. Fetlock joints of seven healthy horses received one of four treatments: saline, resting PRP, CaCl2-activated PRP or thrombin-activated PRP. Synovial fluid was sampled prior to injection and at 6, 24, 48 and 96 h post-injection. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) concentrations in synovial fluid and PRP were measured by ELISA. Synovial fluid PDGF-BB, TGFβ1, IL-6, TNFα and IL-1 concentrations were also measured in vitro after incubation for 6h with resting PRP only. Growth factor concentrations, but not cytokine concentrations, were significantly higher in activated PRP than in resting PRP samples. After intra-articular injection with resting or thrombin-activated PRP, synovial TGFβ1 increased significantly compared to baseline levels. TNFα and IL-6 were significantly increased in synovial fluid after thrombin-activated PRP injection. In vitro, growth factor concentrations increased significantly in synovial fluid after mixing with PRP, indicating that exogenous activation of PRP for intra-articular injection may be unnecessary, whereas cytokine levels did not. In conclusion, thrombin-activated PRP induced an inflammatory cytokine response in joints, whereas resting or CaCl2-activated PRP did not. Synovial growth factor levels were low overall; the reported benefits of intra-articular PRP may not be attributable to changes in local PDGF or TGFβ1 concentrations.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-08-28 PubMed ID: 23992870DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.07.020Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study explores the impact of injecting autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in horses‘ joint disease treatment, examining specifically how the injection influences synovial fluid growth factor and cytokine concentrations. The researchers point out that while PRP may potentially treat joint diseases in horses, it may also contain unfavorable pro-inflammatory cytokines along with growth factors.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted on healthy horses and involved injecting their fetlock joints with one out of four possible treatments: saline, resting PRP, CaCl2-activated PRP, or thrombin-activated PRP. The fetlock is a joint analogous to the human ankle but with a more complex structure.
  • Prior to the injection and at intervals post-injection (6, 24, 48, and 96 hours), synovial fluid samples were procured from the subjects for analysis.
  • The key growth factors and cytokines considered in the study were Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF-BB), Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα). Their concentration levels in the synovial fluid and PRP were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • The study also assessed in-vitro synovial fluid growth factors and cytokines, IL-1 and TNFα, after a 6-hour interaction with resting PRP.

Findings

  • One notable finding from the study was that growth factor concentrations were significantly higher in activated PRP than in resting PRP, while there was no marked difference in cytokine concentrations.
  • After injecting resting or thrombin-activated PRP into a joint, the concentration of TGFβ1 in the synovial fluid showed significant increase from baseline levels.
  • However, TNFα and IL-6 concentrations showed significant increase in the synovial fluid only following thrombin-activated PRP injection.
  • When PRP was mixed with synovial fluid in an in-vitro experiment, the growth factor levels in the latter significantly spiked, suggesting that it may be unnecessary to activate PRP exogenously before injecting it into a joint, while cytokine levels remained unchanged.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that thrombin-activated PRP seems to induce an inflammatory cytokine reaction inside the joints, which does not occur with the use of resting or CaCl2-activated PRP.
  • However, researchers noted that the overall synovial growth factor levels remained low. This suggests that the reported advantages of intra-articular PRP may not necessarily be due to changes in local PDGF or TGFβ1 concentrations.

Cite This Article

APA
Textor JA, Willits NH, Tablin F. (2013). Synovial fluid growth factor and cytokine concentrations after intra-articular injection of a platelet-rich product in horses. Vet J, 198(1), 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.07.020

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 198
Issue: 1
Pages: 217-223

Researcher Affiliations

Textor, Jamie A
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: jamietextor@gmail.com.
Willits, Neil H
    Tablin, Fern

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Cytokines / metabolism
      • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
      • Female
      • Forelimb / drug effects
      • Forelimb / immunology
      • Forelimb / metabolism
      • Hindlimb / drug effects
      • Hindlimb / immunology
      • Hindlimb / metabolism
      • Horses / metabolism
      • Injections, Intra-Articular / veterinary
      • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
      • Joints / drug effects
      • Joints / immunology
      • Joints / metabolism
      • Male
      • Platelet-Rich Plasma / metabolism
      • Synovial Fluid / metabolism
      • Time Factors

      Citations

      This article has been cited 25 times.
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