The effect of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A injections on motor unit activity of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy sound Royal Dutch sport horses.
Abstract: Therapeutic reduction of the activity of the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle may play a role in treatment of laminitic horses. Clostridium botulinum toxin type A induces reduced muscle activity and has a spasmolytic effect in horses. In this study, the effectiveness of 200 IU C. botulinum toxin type A on reduction of DDF muscle activity was measured in seven healthy, sound, adult Royal Dutch sport horses. C. botulinum toxin type A was injected using ultrasound and electromyographic (EMG) guidance. The effectiveness was assessed by interference pattern analysis (IPA) and motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis. All needle EMG MUAP variables, along with IPA amplitude/turn and turns/s, were significantly reduced after C. botulinum toxin type A injections. The strongest effect occurred within the first 3 days after injection. The reduced muscle induced by C. botulinum toxin type A may have benefits in the treatment of horses with laminitis.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-09-27 PubMed ID: 24360760DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.050Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the effects of a specific type of botulinum toxin on the muscle activity in the deep digital flexor of Royal Dutch sport horses. The study found that injections of this toxin significantly reduced muscle activity which could potentially be beneficial in treating conditions such as laminitis in horses.
Introduction
- This research paper focuses on understanding the therapeutic effects of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A (also known as Botox) on the activity of the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle in Dutch sport horses.
- The underlying premise of the study is based on the presumption that reducing the activity of the DDF muscle could potentially prove beneficial in treating horses suffering from laminitis – a common and painful condition that can affect any horse, regardless of their breed or build.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on seven healthy, adult, Royal Dutch sport horses. Each horse was injected with 200 IU of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A.
- With the help of ultrasound and electromyographic (EMG) guidance, the toxin was accurately delivered into the DDF muscle.
Results
- The analysis of muscle activity post-injection was carried out using methods like interference pattern analysis (IPA) and motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis.
- Results suggested a significant reduction in all needle EMG MUAP variables, as well as in the amplitude per turn and turns per second as per the IPA.
- The impact of the toxin was most potent within the first 3 days post-injection, indicating its rapid effectiveness in reducing muscle activity.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that Clostridium botulinum toxin type A was successful in reducing muscle activity in Dutch sport horses.
- This finding might open new avenues in the treatment of laminitis in horses by providing an alternative therapeutic strategy that focuses on reducing DDF muscle activity.
Cite This Article
APA
Wijnberg ID, Hardeman LC, van der Meij BR, Veraa S, Back W, van der Kolk JH.
(2013).
The effect of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A injections on motor unit activity of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy sound Royal Dutch sport horses.
Vet J, 198 Suppl 1, e147-e151.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.050 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: I.D.Wijnberg@uu.nl.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Botulinum Toxins, Type A / pharmacology
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb
- Horses / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
- Neuromuscular Agents / pharmacology
- Recruitment, Neurophysiological / drug effects
- Recruitment, Neurophysiological / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Turin L, Piccione MM, Crosa F, Dall'Ara P, Filipe J, Zarucco L. Therapeutic Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 13;10(7).
- Atkins CA, Pond KR, Madsen CK, Moorman VJ, Roman-Muniz IN, Archibeque SL, Grandin T. Sensor analysis and initial assessment of detectable first hoof contacts and last break-overs as unique signal fluctuations for equine gait analysis. Transl Anim Sci 2019 Jul;3(4):1389-1398.
- Falemban B, Marzok M, Dhafiri MA, Saleh SM, Al-Wail AA, Almubarak AI, Fayez M, Salem M, Hussen J. Camels' antibody response to botulinum toxin-A (Botox). Open Vet J 2025 Nov;15(11):5505-5512.
- Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A. Equine botulism. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):333-347.
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