Diagnostic Value of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Synovial Fluid for Identifying Osteoarthritis in the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in Horses

Abstract

Our aim was to examine the diagnostic potential of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 for identifying osteoarthritis in the horse.Horses were divided into two groups -a positive group consisting of 28 horses with cartilage damage in the distal interphalangeal joint and a negative group of 17 control horses. Clinical examination of the horses included evaluation of lameness, flexion test, diagnostic nerve blocks, X-ray and arthroscopy. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in synovial fluid using gelatin zymography.Monomers of MMP-2 and MMP-9 appeared not to be specific for osteoarthritis since they also occurred in control samples. In contrast, detection of active forms of MMPs was found to be more effective than radiological examination in identifying horses with osteoarthritis, on the grounds of higher sensitivity. Active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were observed with 88.24% and 82.35% specificity respectively, indicating the high accuracy in correctly identifying horses without osteoarthritis. Thus, as an addition to clinical examination, detection of MMPs could improve the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Detection of active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was evaluated as an additional diagnostic tool in diagnosing osteoarthritis, especially in the case of a negative X-ray result. The proportions of animals with confirmed osteoarthritis, which tested positive, were found to be 81.82% and 76.92%, respectively. The results of this study confirm that active forms of MMP occur in synovial fluid of osteoarthritic joints more frequently than in synovial fluid from normal joints of the horse. Detection of active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is shown to have an important diagnostic potential.

Synovial Fluid Metabolome Can Differentiate between Healthy Joints and Joints Affected by Osteoarthritis in Horses

“…A step forward in the prevention of osteoarthritis may come from its early diagnosis and from the possibility of monitoring its evolution to prevent the worsening of the horse’s clinical condition and preserve athletic activity [ 2 ]. The scientific community has been working to discover biomarkers and differentiate septic from nonseptic arthritis, thus identifying the underlying causes with the aim of better understanding the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis in horses [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Synovial Fluid Metabolites Differentiate between Septic and Nonseptic Joint Pathologies

“…Potential OA markers of interest include cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which have both been identified as elevated in human OA SF . Although detection of active MMPs in horses has demonstrated important potential in diagnosis, conversely, decreased levels of COMP have been identified in equine OA and found unable to stage the disease. , In equine OC, elevated levels of a C-propeptide of cartilage type II procollagen and osteocalcin have shown potential as a diagnostic aid, although these markers have not translated to clinical practice. − However, these protein markers identify pathology following significant cartilage degradation and bone remodelling opposed to an early disease state where potential intervention would prove most beneficial.…”

Chondroprotective potential of bioactive compounds of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. against cytokine-induced cartilage degradation in explant culture

“…MMP-13 has been found highly expressed in the cartilage of the human OA patient (Li et al, 2011). MMP-2, classified as gelatinase, has been reported to be increased in the synovial fluid of OA (Volk et al, 2003;Zrimšek et al, 2007). The decrease in breakdown of cartilage matrix biomolecules has been found after the inhibition of MMP-2 expression induced by IL-1β (Mark et al, 2005).…”