Levels of Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the Synovial Fluid of Osteoarthritic Horses Treated With Pamidronate

Science‐in‐brief: Bisphosphonate use in the racehorse: Safe or unsafe?

“…All horses were older and none were racing Thoroughbreds so extrapolation of these results to that population may be inappropriate. Several other studies have been undertaken, and other members of the family, such as the nitrogenous bisphosphonates pamidronate [7] and zoledronate [8] have been investigated for short term safety and usefulness in the horse. In another experimental study, unilateral cast immobilisation was used to induce bone resorption and assess the protective effect of tiludronate [6].…”

“…Nonracehorse studies have demonstrated a positive effect of bisphosphonate on clinical signs related to OA of the lower hock joints Equine Veterinary Journal 49 (2017) 404-407 © 2017 EVJ Ltd [3,7]. In man, intra-articular (i.a.)…”

“…clodronate was as effective a pain reliever as i.a. In both man and horses, it is generally accepted that bisphosphonates can result in amelioration of clinical signs dues to OA [3,7,31]. There are many mechanisms of therapeutic action in OA [29,30]: bisphosphonates may stabilise the subchondral bone or even protect chondrocytes from undergoing apoptosis.…”

“…From this equine research, it is clear that serum biomarkers (CTX-1) of bone resorption are significantly reduced following treatment with tiludronate. Several other studies have been undertaken, and other members of the family, such as the nitrogenous bisphosphonates pamidronate [7] and zoledronate [8] have been investigated for short term safety and usefulness in the horse. In summary, equine specific investigations of bisphosphonates are sparse compared with human studies.…”

“…They chelate the zinc required for proinflammatory MMP function and reduce inflammatory cytokines concentrations within the joint. In both man and horses, it is generally accepted that bisphosphonates can result in amelioration of clinical signs dues to OA [3,7,31]. There is a dose dependent response in equine chondrocyte explants: low doses decrease apoptosis and sulfated glycosaminoglycan release, whereas higher doses result in increased sulfated glycosaminoglycan release and MMP concentrations [30].…”