Evaluation of a single intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution for treatment of osteoarthritis in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intra-articular autologous protein solution (APS) for the treatment of osteoarthritis in horses. Animals-40 client-owned horses with naturally occuring osteoarthritis.


METHODS
APS was generated from a dual-device system that concentrated plasma and WBC proteins and enriched platelet growth factors. Horses were randomly assigned to receive an intra-articular injection of 5 mL of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (n = 20) or APS (20), exercised on a treadmill, and evaluated on the basis of lameness grades, kinetic gait analysis, joint circumference, and range of motion for 14 days. Horses that received saline solution were administered APS at termination of the study, and clients scored horses for lameness and discomfort before, 12 weeks after, and 52 weeks after the APS injection.


RESULTS
The APS group had significant improvements in lameness grade, asymmetry indices of vertical peak force, and range of joint motion by 14 days, compared with baseline or control group values. No adverse effects associated with APS treatment were evident. Clients assessed lameness and comfort as improved at 12 and 52 weeks. The APS had greater likelihood (OR, 4.3 to 30.0) of a therapeutic response in horses with a lameness score < 4, < 10% vertical force asymmetry, or absence of marked osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, or joint space narrowing. Concentration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in APS was 5.8 times that in blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-articular administration of APS can be considered an effective treatment option for equine osteoarthritis, with the potential for disease-modifying effects.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.
Alicia L
AL
Bertone
Akikazu
A
Ishihara
Lisa J
LJ
Zekas
Maxey L
ML
Wellman
Katharine B
KB
Lewis
Rebecca A
RA
Schwarze
Andrea R
AR
Barnaba
Michael L
ML
Schmall
Peter M
PM
Kanter
Ron L
RL
Genovese
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D013582:Synovial Fluid
D001798:Blood Proteins