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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / Ultrasonographic Evidence of Synovitis Correlates with Synov...
Veterinary sciences2026; 13(2); 140; doi: 10.3390/vetsci13020140

Ultrasonographic Evidence of Synovitis Correlates with Synovial Citrate and TBARS in Equine Osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects humans and animals worldwide. Its early diagnosis remains challenging due to subtle clinical signs and late radiographic changes. This study aimed to explore candidate biomarkers associated with spontaneous OA and to investigate their correlation with ultrasonographic scores to support early diagnosis. Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 52 equine metacarpophalangeal joints, with and without OA, allowing joint scoring and classification into osteoarthritis (OAG) and control groups. Synovial fluid samples were analyzed for cartilage degradation (C2C), untargeted H NMR-based metabolomics, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Statistical analyses included Student's -test, Mann-Whitney U test, univariate and multivariate metabolomic analyses, and Spearman's correlation ( < 0.05). Ultrasonography revealed higher scores in the synovial fold, membrane, and fluid, indicating synovitis as the predominant finding in the acute phase. C2C and TBARS concentrations were significantly higher in the OAG. Seven metabolites differed between groups, with citrate and TBARS showing the strongest correlations with ultrasonographic scores. These findings suggest increased metabolic activity and lipid peroxidation in early OA and highlight citrate and TBARS as potential auxiliary biomarkers for early diagnosis associated with synovitis.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-31 PubMed ID: 41745934PubMed Central: PMC12945042DOI: 10.3390/vetsci13020140Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This study investigated biomarkers in synovial fluid related to early osteoarthritis (OA) in horses, focusing on their correlation with ultrasonographic evidence of synovitis to aid early diagnosis.

Background and Purpose

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease common in humans and animals, including horses.
  • Early diagnosis of OA is difficult because initial clinical signs are subtle and radiographic changes appear late.
  • The study aimed to identify biochemical markers in synovial fluid that correlate with ultrasonographic signs of OA, particularly synovitis, to assist in earlier diagnosis.

Study Design and Methods

  • Sample: 52 equine metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joints, categorized into OA group (OAG) and control group without OA.
  • Evaluation Techniques:
    • Clinical joint assessment
    • Radiographic imaging to assess joint degeneration
    • Ultrasonography focusing on synovial fold, synovial membrane, and synovial fluid to detect synovitis
  • Synovial fluid analysis included:
    • Measurement of cartilage degradation marker C2C
    • Untargeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) metabolomics to identify metabolic changes
    • Measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation (oxidative stress)
  • Statistical analyses involved:
    • Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test to compare groups
    • Univariate and multivariate metabolomics analysis to identify significant metabolites
    • Spearman’s correlation to examine relationships between ultrasonographic scores and biomarkers (significance threshold p < 0.05)

Key Findings

  • Ultrasonography Results:
    • Higher ultrasonographic scores in synovial fold, membrane, and fluid were observed in OA joints compared to controls.
    • These findings confirmed synovitis as a dominant pathological feature in early OA.
  • Synovial Fluid Biomarkers:
    • C2C concentrations, indicating cartilage breakdown, were significantly elevated in the OA group.
    • TBARS levels, indicating lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, were also significantly higher in the OA group.
    • Seven metabolites differed significantly between OA and control groups; among these, citrate and TBARS exhibited the strongest correlation with ultrasonographic signs of synovitis.

Interpretation and Implications

  • The study suggests increased metabolic activity within the joint during early OA, evidenced by changes in citrate levels and oxidative stress markers like TBARS.
  • Synovitis, inflammation of the synovial membrane, appears to be a major early pathological feature detectable by ultrasonography.
  • The strong correlation between citrate and TBARS with ultrasonographic synovitis supports their potential use as auxiliary biomarkers for early OA diagnosis.
  • These biomarkers could complement clinical and imaging assessments to improve timely detection and management of OA in equine patients, and potentially offer insights relevant to OA in other species.

Conclusion

  • Ultrasonographic evidence of synovitis correlates with biochemical markers of cartilage degradation (C2C) and oxidative stress (TBARS) in equine OA.
  • Citrate and TBARS in synovial fluid emerge as promising biomarkers linked to early metabolic changes in OA.
  • This integrative approach combining imaging and biochemical analysis may enhance early diagnosis and intervention strategies for osteoarthritis.

Cite This Article

APA
Barreira AP, Moreira T, Silva R, Nunes L, Lioi A, Kraus E, Altheman V, Ribeiro M, Leite C, Silva A, Almeida F, Santos Junior G, Lessa D, Alves AL. (2026). Ultrasonographic Evidence of Synovitis Correlates with Synovial Citrate and TBARS in Equine Osteoarthritis. Vet Sci, 13(2), 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020140

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
PII: 140

Researcher Affiliations

Barreira, Anna Paula
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
  • Postgraduate Program in Animal Biotechnology, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-970, Brazil.
Moreira, Thaís
  • Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Silva, Rafaela
  • Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Nunes, Letícia
  • Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Lioi, Adriana
  • Brazilian Jockey Club (JCB), Rio de Janeiro 22470-060, Brazil.
Kraus, Elizabeth
  • Brazilian Jockey Club (JCB), Rio de Janeiro 22470-060, Brazil.
Altheman, Vittoria
  • Postgraduate Program in Animal Biotechnology, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-970, Brazil.
Ribeiro, Marcela
  • Postgraduate Program in Animal Biotechnology, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-970, Brazil.
Leite, Carla
  • Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Silva, Andreza
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Almeida, Fernando
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropedica 23890-000, Brazil.
Santos Junior, Gilson
  • Laboratory of Metabolomics (LabMet), Department of Genetics, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
Lessa, Daniel
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense University, Niteroi 24230-340, Brazil.
Alves, Ana Liz
  • Postgraduate Program in Animal Biotechnology, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-970, Brazil.

Grant Funding

  • 2017/12815-0 / São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
  • 2017/14460- 4 / São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
  • 2017/12815-0 / Rio de Janeiro Research Foundation (FAPERJ)
  • E-26/201.259/2021 / Rio de Janeiro Research Foundation (FAPERJ)

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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