Ultrasound and clinical findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint assessment of show jumping horses in training.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. METHODS: A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses' athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. RESULTS: The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a training regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential.

Arcabouço de PRP-gel associado a células tronco mesenquimais: uso em lesões condrais em modelo experimental equino / PRP-gel scaffold associated with mesenchymal stem cells: use in experimental chondral defect of equine models

O plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) é conhecido por apresentar propriedades anabólicas, anti-inflamatórias e capacidade de gelificação. Atualmente o PRP é considerado eficaz na reparação da cartilagem, sendo sua capacidade de formação de gel indicada para o preenchimento de defeitos condrais. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar o uso do PRP ativado, no formato de arcabouço, como suporte para o implante de células tronco mesenquimais (CTM), no preenchimento e tratamento de lesões condrais induzidas em equinos. Doze equinos foram submetidos a uma cirurgia artroscópica no tempo zero do experimento (T0), onde foi induzida uma lesão condral de 15 mm de diâmetro na tróclea medial femoral dos membros pélvicos direito. As 12 articulações foram divididas em dois grupos distintos com seis articulações cada (GA e GB). As articulações do GA foram submetidas ao tratamento com o implante de CTM em gel de PRP. As articulações de GB foram o grupo controle do experimento. As CTMs foram extraídas do tecido adiposo e o PRP em gel foi obtido por protocolo de dupla centrifugação seguido da adição de trombina liofilizada. Após cinco meses (T150) foi realizada nova artroscopia para avaliação macroscópica do local, coleta de amostras do tecido de reparação para análises de microscopia eletrônica, sendo realizadas imagens ressonância magnética e tomografia computadorizada no local do implante no GA. Observamos que o gel de PRP associado às CTM demonstrou ser adequado no tratamento de defeitos condrais experimentais dos equinos. GA evidenciou um melhor aspecto macroscópico e microscópico do tecido de reparação, sendo que GB mostrou maior desorganização das fibras colágenas. Nas imagens de ressonância magnética e tomografia computadorizada apenas foi relevante o local da lesão condral. O arcabouço de gel de PRP demonstrou ser apropriado no suporte do tratamento com as CTMs, sendo de fácil aplicação e efetivo, demonstrando resultados promissores na reparação de lesões condrais induzidas.(AU)

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is characterized by its anabolic, anti-inflammatory and gelling capability. Nowadays, the PRP is considered effective in the repair of cartilage defects, and its gelling capability is proper to filling chondral defects. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of activated PRP as a fibrin gel scaffold, such as support for the use with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), on the treatment of experimentally chondral articular defects. Twelve horses were subjected to an arthroscopic surgery at time zero of the experiment (T0). A chondral defect of 15 mm diameter was created on the medial femoral trochlea and these 12 joints were divided into two groups each with six joints in each group (GA and GB). The joints of the GA were treated with implantation of MSC and PRP-gel. GB joints were the control group. MSCs were cultivated from adipose tissue and PRP-gel was obtained by double centrifugation protocol followed by addition of lyophilized thrombin. After five months (T150) was performed new arthroscopy for macroscopic evaluation of the defect local, collect samples of tissue repair for electron microscopy assessment and also was implemented a magnetic resonance images and computed tomography on GA. It was observed that the PRP-gel associated with CTMs showed a suitable treatment of experimental chondral defects in horses. GA showed a better macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the tissue repair. GB showed smaller number of chondrocytes and increased collagen fibers disorganization. At the magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging only the local of chondral defect was viewed. The PRP-gel scaffold was satisfactory to use and support MSCs implantation. It showed an easy handling and it was effective, showing a promising results in the repair of induced chondral defects.(AU)

Isolation and characterization of equine peripheral blood-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells / Isolamento e caracterização das células mesenquimais multipotentes estromais derivadas do sangue periférico equino

The objective of the study was to isolate, cultivate and characterize equine peripheral blood-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (PbMSCs). Peripheral blood was collected, followed by the isolation of mononuclear cells using density gradient reagents, and the cultivation of adherent cells. Monoclonal mouse anti-horse CD13, mouse anti-horse CD44, and mouse anti-rat CD90 antibodies were used for the immunophenotypic characterization of the surface of the PbMSCs. These cells were also cultured in specific media for adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. There was no expression of the CD13 marker, but CD44 and CD90 were expressed in all of the passages tested. After 14 days of cell differentiation into adipocytes, lipid droplets were observed upon Oil Red O (ORO) staining. Twenty-one days after chondrogenic differentiation, the cells were stained with Alcian Blue. Although the technique for the isolation of these cells requires improvement, the present study demonstrates the partial characterization of PbMSCs, classifying them as a promising type of progenitor cells for use in equine cell therapy.

O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar, cultivar e caracterizar as células mesenquimais multipotentes estromais derivadas do sangue periférico (SpCTMs) equino. O sangue periférico foi coletado, seguido do isolamento das células mononucleadas utilizando o reagente de gradiente de densidade e o cultivo das células aderentes. Os anticorpos monoclonais mouse anti-horse CD13, mouse anti-horse CD44 e mouse anti-rat CD90 foram utilizados para a caracterização imunofenotípica da superfície das SpCTMs. Estas células também foram cultivadas utilizando meio de cultura específico para a diferenciação adipogênica e condrogênica. Não houve expressão do marcador CD13, mas os marcadores CD44 e CD90 foram expressos em todas as passagens testadas. Após 14 dias da diferenciação das células em adipócitos, gotículas de lipídeos foram observados através da coloração com Oil Red O. Vinte e um dias após a diferenciação condrogênica, as células foram coradas com o Alcian Blue. Embora a técnica de isolamento destas células necessite ser otimizada, o presente estudo demonstra a caracterização parcial das SpCTMs, classificando-as como um tipo de células progenitoras promissoras para o uso na terapia celular em equinos.

Avaliação da eficácia de diferentes protocolos de preparo do Plasma Rico em Plaquetas para uso em Medicina Equina / Evaluating the effectiveness of different protocols for preparation of platelet rich plasma for use in equine medicine

O Plasma Rico em Plaquetas (PRP) é um preparado do sangue total que contém diversos fatores de crescimento responsáveis pela proliferação e diferenciação celular, angiogênese, como também pelo aumento da produção da matriz extracelular. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente estudo foi testar 10 protocolos diferentes de centrifugação para obtenção de PRP a partir do sangue total de equinos hígidos. Para isso foram utilizadas 10 amostras de 27mL de sangue total de cinco animais, as quais foram centrifugadas conforme cada protocolo proposto. Os resultados revelaram que os protocolos com menor força de centrifugação relativa resultaram em maior (p<0,05) concentração de plaquetas e, que não houve (p>0,05) influência do tempo de centrifugação em relação a essa variável. A influência do tempo foi observada apenas no número de leucócitos em protocolos com menor força de centrifugação relativa (FCR). Os quatro melhores protocolos, que obtiveram as maiores concentrações de plaquetas, foram submetidos à análise pelo teste de ELISA para dosar a quantidade de TGF-β que não revelou diferença (p>0,05) entre os protocolos.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a prepared of the whole blood which contains several growth factors responsible for cellular proliferation and differentiation, angiogenesis, and for the increase of the extracellular matrix. Thus, the aim of this study was to test 10 different centrifugation protocols to obtain PRP from the whole blood of healthy equines. Ten samples of 27mL of the whole blood of 5 healthy equines were used, which were centrifuged in accordance to the proposed protocols. The results showed that the protocols with less relative centrifugation force resulted in greater (p<0,05) platelets concentration. Also, platelets concentration was not influenced by varying the time of centrifugation. However, time did affect the number of leukocytes in some protocols. The best four protocols were analyzed by ELISA test to quantitate the amount of TGF-β, which revealed no difference (p> 0.05) between the protocols.