title: Glycosaminoglycans in horses with osteoarthritis.
abstract: Horse articular cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured in synovial fluids from 48 joints affected with osteoarthritis (OA), 22 normal joints, four joints with osteochondritis, three joints with traumatic arthritis and seven joints infected with bacteria. Serum and urine from individual horses were also examined for the presence of GAGs. High levels of GAGs were found in synovial fluids (SF) from horses with OA. In each case, the level was higher in the synovial fluid than in the serum or urine from the same horse. Horses with OA showed high GAG levels in SF, serum and urine compared to horses with normal and infected joints. High levels were also found in horses with osteochondritis and traumatic arthritis. Levels of synovial fluid GAG reflect cartilage destruction in arthritis and may be useful for monitoring disease progression in the equine species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Alwan
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002808:Chondroitin Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007632:Keratan Sulfate / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D007632:Keratan Sulfate; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; C026093:keratan-sulfate endo-1,4-beta-galactosidase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D002808:Chondroitin Lyases