An experimentally induced osteoarthritis model in horses performed on both metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints: Technical, clinical, imaging, biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic characterization

Abstract

fetlocks and higher radiographic scores for left fetlocks compared to the right. This model thus appears to be a reliable means to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments in horses, and may be of interest for translational studies in human medicine.

Evaluation of Allogeneic Bone-Marrow-Derived and Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Prevent the Development of Osteoarthritis in An Equine Model

“…The current study used a model of OA that was proven to successfully induce mild osteoarthritis-associated changes in the four fetlock joints of each horse [ 25 ]. OA-associated pathological changes in this model included clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs as well as biochemical modifications of synovial fluid composition and postmortem microscopic and macroscopic lesions.…”

“…One week before surgical induction of the lesions (W-1), each horse was evaluated clinically for lameness and underwent full radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of its four fetlock joints to rule out the presence of pre-existing OA before being included in the study ( Figure 1 ). Induction of OA was performed on week 0 (W0) as previously described [ 25 ] by creating an osteochondral chip fragment in both metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of each horse. Briefly, the dorsal edge of the fragment was freed from the proximal phalanx and the fractured bed was exposed and debrided to form a 15 mm wide defect bed.…”

“…The protocol used was the same as the one previously described for the characterization of OA-associated changes in placebo treated fetlocks [ 25 ]. To control the safety of the procedure, clinical examinations (with measures of the vital parameters) were performed twice daily for one month following surgery, to check for signs of discomfort.…”

“…Osteochondral sections were harvested from the medial part of the distal aspect of the metacarpal/tarsal condyle and processed as previously described [ 25 ] for histological and immunohistological analysis. After fixation with neutral buffered formalin (Carlo Erba Reagents, Val-de-Reuil, France) and setting in paraffin, latero-medial slices 5 mm thick from the medial part of the distal aspect of the condyle were made.…”

Who Is Healthy? A Review of How Equine Control Groups Are Defined in Clinical Orthopaedic Research 1999–2021

“…12 Different aspects of synovial fluid, joint capsule, periarticular ligaments, cartilage and bone surfaces were assessed. In the OA study 17 that used all three means of diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasonography and MRI) the MRI criteria were based on Smith and colleagues 18 and included assessment of presence of bone marrow lesions, subchondral sclerosis, osteophyte formation, synovial fluid effusion, synovial membrane thickening and joint capsule thickening.…”