Treatment of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses using an intravenous combination of sodium pentosan polysulfate, N-acetyl glucosamine, and sodium hyaluronan.
Abstract: To assess the effects of sodium pentosan polysulfate (PPS), N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), and sodium hyaluronan (HA) in horses with induced osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Experimental. Methods: Adult Standard bred horses (n = 16). Methods: OA was induced arthroscopically in 1 intercarpal joint; 8 horses were administered 3 mg/kg PPS, 4.8 mg/kg NAG, and 0.12 mg/kg HA (PGH), intravenously (IV), weekly and 8 horses were administered an equivalent volume of saline IV until study completion (day 70). Horses underwent a standardized treadmill exercise program. Clinical and radiographic findings and synovial fluid analysis were evaluated throughout the study. Macroscopic, histologic, histochemical, and biochemical findings were evaluated after necropsy. Comparisons of interest included OA and non-OA joints of saline treated horses and OA joints of PGH treated horses and OA joints of saline treated horses. Results were statistically analyzed with significance set at P < .05. Results: OA caused increases in clinical assessment scores, synovial fluid variables, radiographic, macroscopic, and histologic cartilage scores, synovial fluid and cartilage chondroitin sulfate 846-epitope and glycosaminoglycan concentration. Total radiographic scores, total macroscopic joint pathology and macroscopic cartilage pathology scores were significantly reduced in horses treated with PGH compared with saline treated horses. Synovial fluid total protein concentration and white blood cell count were higher in OA joints of PGH treated horses compared with saline treated horses. There were no other significant differences between treatment groups. Conclusions: Improvements in macroscopic variables were not supported by other outcomes. Further evidence is needed before PGH can be recommended as a therapeutic option for osteoarthritis in horses.
© Copyright 2014 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2014-05-13 PubMed ID: 24819506DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2014.12203.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research studied the potential benefits of using a combination of sodium pentosan polysulfate, N-acetyl glucosamine, and sodium hyaluronan for treating osteoarthritis in horses. Findings show mixed results, indicating that while some macroscopic improvements were observed, more research is required to test the efficacy of this treatment method.
Methodology
- The study used 16 adult Standardbred horses as subjects.
- Osteoarthritis was artificially induced in one intercarpal joint of each horse.
- Eight horses received a weekly intravenous dose of the proposed treatment, a combination of 3 mg/kg pentosan polysufate (PPS), 4.8 mg/kg N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), and 0.12 mg/kg sodium hyaluronan (HA), labeled as PGH for the study. The other eight horses were given an equivalent amount of saline solution.
- All horses underwent a standard treadmill exercise program.
- The researchers conducted clinical and radiographic assessments, as well as synovial fluid analysis across the duration of the study.
- The horses were euthanized for necropsy after the study, where macroscopic, histological, histochemical, and biochemical findings were analyzed.
Results
- Osteoarthritis typically led to higher clinical assessment scores, and changes in synovial fluid variables, radiography, macroscopic cartilage scores, along with increased concentrations of certain biochemical characteristics in the synovial fluid and cartilage.
- The treatment with PGH resulted in significantly reduced total radiographic scores as well as reduced macroscopic joint pathology and cartilage scores, compared to horses treated with saline.
- In the synovial fluid aspect, the protein concentration and white blood cell count were found to be higher in joints of horses treated with PGH compared to those in the saline treated group.
- No other significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups.
Conclusions
- The improvements noted at the macroscopic level did not have corresponding support from other outcomes, which would have validated the overall efficacy of the PGH treatment.
- The researchers concluded that more evidence is necessary before recommending PGH as a viable therapeutic solution for osteoarthritis in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Koenig TJ, Dart AJ, McIlwraith CW, Horadagoda N, Bell RJ, Perkins N, Dart C, Krockenberger M, Jeffcott LB, Little CB.
(2014).
Treatment of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses using an intravenous combination of sodium pentosan polysulfate, N-acetyl glucosamine, and sodium hyaluronan.
Vet Surg, 43(5), 612-622.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2014.12203.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research and Clinical Training Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Acetylglucosamine / administration & dosage
- Animals
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
- Injections, Intravenous / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Male
- Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / administration & dosage
- Synovial Fluid / metabolism
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