Stifle osteochondritis dissecans in snow leopards (Uncia uncia).

Three snow leopard (Uncia uncia) cubs, female and male siblings and an unrelated female, had lameness attributed to osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions noted at 6, 8, and 10 mo of age, respectively. All cubs were diagnosed with OCD via radiographs. The sibling cubs both had lesions of the right lateral femoral condyles, while the unrelated cub had bilateral lesions of the lateral femoral condyles. Subsequently, OCD was confirmed in all three cases during surgical correction of the lateral femoral condyle lesions via lateral stifle arthrotomies, flap removal, and debridement of the defect sites. Histopathology also supported the diagnosis of OCD. Postoperatively, the sibling cubs developed seromas at the incision sites and mild lameness, which resolved within a month. To date, two cubs have been orthopedically sound, while one of the sibling cubs has developed mild osteoarthritis. OCD has rarely been reported in domestic felids, and to the authors' knowledge these are the first reported cases of OCD in nondomestic felids.

[Healing of osteochondral defects in canine knee with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables: a morphometric comparative analysis]. / Avokado/soya fasülyesinin sabunlasmayan ekstresi verilen köpeklerin dizlerinde osteokondral defekt iyilesmesi: Bir karsilastirmali morfometrik analiz.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the effects of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) on healing in a canine osteochondral defect model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen dogs were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups. Two osteochondral defects were produced in the lateral aspect of the trochlear groove of the knee joint. The treatment group (group 1; n=7) was given 300 mg ASU capsules every three days whereas the control group (group 2; n=7) was given a normal diet. Animals were then allowed to ambulate normally until euthanasia at 15 weeks. The knees were dissected and the trochlear grooves with defects were removed for pathological examination. The amount of regenerated tissue was determined quantitatively using image analysis and the tissue content was evaluated semi-quantitatively using Safranin-O and Masson trichrome histochemical stains. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) increase was evaluated semi-quantitatively with immunohistochemical staining methods. RESULTS: Morphometric analysis revealed a significantly more immature repair tissue in group 1 (p<0.002). Both collagen and chondral tissue content of the regenerated tissue were significantly increased in group 1 (p<0.002). Compared to that in group 2, cartilage tissue in group 1 showed a much more marked immunostaining reaction of TGF-beta. CONCLUSION: Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables treatment stimulates the healing of the osteochondral defects in canine knee possibly by increasing TGF-beta in the tissues.

Nutraceutical therapies for degenerative joint diseases: a critical review.

There is growing recognition of the importance of nutritional factors in the maintenance of bone and joint health, and that nutritional imbalance combined with endocrine abnormalities may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Despite this, dietary programs have played a secondary role in the management of these connective tissue disorders. Articular cartilage is critically dependent upon the regular provision of nutrients (glucose and amino acids), vitamins (particularly vitamin C), and essential trace elements (zinc, magnesium, and copper). Therefore, dietary supplementation programs and nutraceuticals used in conjunction with non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may offer significant benefits to patients with joint disorders, such as OA and OCD. This article examines the available clinical evidence for the efficacy of nutraceuticals, antioxidant vitamin C, polyphenols, essential fatty acids, and mineral cofactors in the treatment of OA and related joint disorders in humans and veterinary species. This article also attempts to clarify the current state of knowledge. It also highlights the need for additional targeted research to elucidate the changes in nutritional status and potential alterations to the expression of plasma membrane transport systems in synovial structures in pathophysiological states, so that current therapy and future treatments may be better focused.