title: Combined use of platelet rich plasma & micro-fat in sport and race horses with degenerative joint disease: preliminary clinical study in eight horses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the safety and potential efficacy of a standardized technique consisting of intra-articular injection of 10 cc of a homogeneous mixed product using autologous micro-fat and platelet rich plasma (PRP) (ratio 1:1) in the carpus or the fetlock joint of sport horses presenting degenerative joint disease (DJD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight sport horses with DJD confirmed by radiography and ultrasonography and causing lameness and the impossibility to compete were treated. PRP was prepared after a double centrifugation whereas micro-fat was harvested and purified using a closed system. The two products were connected and mixed by gentle back and forth shaking of the syringes to finally obtain 10 ml of an homogeneous mixed product. Follow up was performed from 5 to 10 months with assessment of AAEP lameness score and return to training and competition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine joints were treated with significant improvement of the AAEP lameness score three months after the procedure (p = 0.021). Four horses returned to official competition between 5 to 10 months after the procedure (7.0±2.5) and three of them resumed intensive training between 5 to 9 months (6.3±2.3). No adverse event occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is a first step in the development of innovative therapy for DJD which combines the potential chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs inside equine adipose tissue with the proliferative effect of growth factors present in PRP.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic, Luynes France.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bembo
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eraud
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Cecile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Philandrianos
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Baptiste
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Bordeaux Merignac Sports Clinic, Merignac, France.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: Cell Culture and Therapy Laboratory, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veran
authors.affiliation: Cell Culture and Therapy Laboratory, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sabatier
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magalon
authors.affiliation: Cell Culture and Therapy Laboratory, Hôpital de la Conception, AP-HM, La Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Magalon
keywords: PRP; knee; mesenchymal stem cells; stem cells; stromal vascular fraction