Equine tendonitis therapy using mesenchymal stem cells and platelet concentrates: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction. Tendon injury is a major cause of lameness and decreased performance in athletic equines. Various therapies for tendonitis have been described; however, none of these therapies results in complete tissue regeneration, and the injury recurrence rate is high even after long recovery periods involving rest and physiotherapy. Methods. A lesion was induced with collagenase gel in the superficial digital flexor tendon in the center portion of the metacarpal region of eight equines of mixed breed. After two weeks, the lesions of the animals in the treated and control groups were treated through the intralesional administration of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (adMSCs) suspended in platelet concentrate (PC) and with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), respectively. Serial ultrasound analyses were performed every two weeks. After 16 weeks of therapy, a biopsy was performed for histopathological, immunohistochemical and gene expression (type I collagen (COL1A1), type III collagen (COL3A1), tenascin-C (TNC), tenomodulin (TNMD), and scleraxis (SCX)) analyses. Results: Differences in the ultrasound and histopathological analyses were observed between the groups. Improved results were reported in the group treated with adMSCs suspended in PC. There was no difference in the gene expression levels observed after the different treatments. The main results observed from the histopathological evaluation of the treated group were as follows: a prevention of the progression of the lesion, a greater organization of collagen fibers, and a decreased inflammatory infiltrate. A lack of progression of the lesion area and its percentage was observed in the ultrasound image, and increased blood flow was measured by Power Doppler. Conclusions: The use of adMSCs combined with PC for the therapy of experimentally induced tendonitis prevented the progression of the tendon lesion, as observed in the ultrasound examination, and resulted in a greater organization and decreased inflammation, as observed in the histopathological evaluation. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this therapy for the treatment of equine tendonitis. © 2013 Carvalho et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Epidemiological Survey of Equine Pythiosis in the Brazilian Pantanal and Nearby Areas: Results of 76 Cases

A clinical epidemiological study was conducted among 34 rural properties located within the Brazilian Pantanal region and nearby areas between 2007 and 2010. The diagnosis of equine pythiosis was based on antibody detection (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), polymerase chain reaction, histopathological analysis, and cultures positive for Pythium insidiosum. The majority of the affected animals (85%) were in the Pantanal biome, which had a higher disease prevalence (0.9%-66.7%) than that of the Cerrado (2.7%-33.3%). The disease was more prevalent in the rainy season (January-March), with an abrupt fall in the number of cases during the drought period (April-September; correlation of R 2 = 0.77; P < .01). Generally, the average prevalence of equine pythiosis in both regions was 5%, with mortality and lethality rates of 1.3% and 23.1%, respectively, in the Pantanal and 2.3% and 45.5%, respectively, in the Cerrado. However, the treatment with immunotherapy may have underestimated these numbers, especially in the Pantanal. Animals older than 1 year were 8.09 times more affected by the disease than younger animals in the same environment (P < .05). A correlation between the anatomical area of the lesion and the type of skin color was also observed. Approximately 73% of the lesions were found in dark-pigmented areas, and animals with a dark coat color were affected more frequently. These findings highlight the importance of hematophagous insects in the epidemiology of pythiosis because these areas are preferred for blood feeding. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Equine Perineal and Vulvar Conformation Correction Using a Modification of Pouret's Technique

An incompetent vulvar seal leads to reproductive failure, and a surgical intervention might be required. The present paper describes modifications to Pouret's surgery. We suggest the use of a simple interrupted vertical mattress suture, which avoids seroma. Eighteen Brazilian Jumping Horse mares, older than 20 years and barren for 3-5 consecutive years, underwent modified Pouret's surgery. A horizontal skin incision of 3-4 cm was made half way between the anus and upper commissure of the vulva. The submucosal and connective tissue were dissected, and the rectovaginal shelf was split horizontally by sectioning the muscular and ligamentous connections between the anus, vulva, caudal portion of the rectum, and vagina until the vulva was oriented vertically. The wound was changed from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane by placing the suture vertically using approximately eight interrupted U sutures distributed in two layers with polyamide thread. The modified Pouret's surgical technique provided a perfect coaptation of the vulvar lips and a correct perineal position. Those mares that presented with horizontally tipped vulvar lips due to advanced age and stretching of the pelvic tissues by multiple foaling had their vulvas replaced. Also, the surgical procedure was easy to perform. As to fertility, of the 18 initial mares, 14 were inseminated, and all became pregnant. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the anatomical changes performed throughout the surgical procedure predisposed to a better vulvar coaptation, correcting the pneumovagina. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laminite experimental: aspectos morfológicos, morfométricos e ultra-estruturais das lâminas dérmicas e epidérmicas do casco de eqüinos tratados com a trinitroglicerina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells derived from equine adipose tissue

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Isolation and characterization of equine peripheral blood-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Culture of equine bone marrow mononuclear fraction and adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction cells in different media

The objective of this study was to evaluate the culture of equine bone marrow mononuclear fraction and adipose tissue - derived stromal vascular fraction cells in two different cell culture media. Five adult horses were submitted to bone marrow aspiration from the sternum, and then from the adipose tissue of the gluteal region near the base of the tail. Mononuclear fraction and stromal vascular fraction were isolated from the samples and cultivated in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum or in AIM-V medium. The cultures were observed once a week with an inverted microscope, to perform a qualitative analysis of the morphology of the cells as well as the general appearance of the cell culture. Colony-forming units (CFU) were counted on days 5, 15 and 25 of cell culture. During the first week of culture, differences were observed between the samples from the same source maintained in different culture media. The number of colonies was significantly higher in samples of bone marrow in relation to samples of adipose tissue.

3-D Technology Used to Accurately Understand Equine Ileocolonic Aganglionosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Allele frequency of hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia in American Quarter horses in Brazil determined by quantitative real-time PCR with high resolution melting analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)