title: Evaluation of intra-articular injection of autologous platelet lysate (PL) in horses with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regenerative medicine has become one of the most promising therapies of equine osteoarthritis. Platelet lysate (PL) is rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue healing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articularly injected autologous PL in equine athletes with naturally occurring osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen warmblood geldings aged 8-19 years with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups; 10 horses received intra-articular injections of PL and 5 of normal saline (controls). Before treatment, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels in basal plasma and prepared PL were estimated. Each joint was injected twice within a three-week period. Lameness was evaluated using the American Association of Equine Practitioners grading system, before treatment and 10 days after each intra-articular injection. Horses were examined fortnightly for one year. Radiographic examination was performed six months post-treatment. The generalized estimating equation test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acceptable levels of PDGF were detected in PLs (mean ± SD: 258.0 ± 52.3 pg/ml). The majority of horses (9/10) responded positively to PL treatment presenting lower lameness grades (p < 0.0005) compared to controls 10 days after the second injection, and returned to normal athletic activity. Radiographs revealed no changes in osteoarthritis lesions six months after treatment. One year post-injections, however, all horses relapsed to their initial degree of lameness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-articularly injected autologous PL is an efficient method for temporarily managing osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint in athletic horses.
authors.affiliation: a Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tyrnenopoulou
authors.affiliation: a Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Diakakis
authors.affiliation: b Surgery and Obstetrics Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karayannopoulou
authors.affiliation: c Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savvas
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biochemistry, Medical School , Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koliakos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D005552:Forelimb / Q000503:physiopathology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Horse; autologous platelet lysate; distal interphalangeal joint; equine; osteoarthritis; platelet-derived growth factor