27 research outputs found
The preventive effects of two nutraceuticals on experimentally induced acute synovitis
Background: Nutraceuticals are often used in the management of equine osteoarthritis, but scientific evidence of their efficacy is lacking.
Objectives: To study the preventive effects of two new nutraceuticals after the experimental induction of synovitis in comparison with positive and negative control treatments.
Study design: Blinded, controlled, randomised experiment.
Methods: Twenty-four healthy Standardbred horses were randomly allocated to supplement AT (multi-ingredient, 28 days), supplement HP (collagen hydrolysate, 60 days), meloxicam (4 days) or placebo (60 days). Synovitis was induced in the right intercarpal joint by intra-articular injection of 0.5 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli while treatments were continued. Blood and synovial fluid were sampled before treatment, immediately prior to LPS injection, and at 8, 24 and 48 h post-injection. Synovial fluid samples were analysed for total nucleated cell count (TNCC), total protein (TP) and selected biomarkers (prostaglandin E2 [PGE2], interleukin-6 [IL-6], glycosaminoglycans [GAGs], type II collagen synthesis [CPII], matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]). Lameness was scored by visual examination and pressure plate analysis immediately prior to LPS injection, and at 8, 24 and 48 h post-injection. Clinical examinations were performed before treatment, immediately prior to LPS injection, at 2, 4 and 6 h post-injection, and then twice per day during the test period.
Results: Before treatment and intra-articular challenge, there were no statistically significant differences among the treatment groups for any of the parameters. After intra-articular challenge, the placebo group showed significantly higher synovial fluid TP, TNCC and PGE2 compared with the meloxicam group, although the model did not induce a relevant amount of lameness. Both nutraceuticals resulted in significantly lower synovial fluid TP, TNCC and PGE2 compared with placebo. No statistical differences in IL-6, GAGs, CPII or MMPs were observed among treatment groups. No adverse effects were observed.
Main limitations: Despite evidence of synovitis, lameness was too mild to detect.
Conclusions: The preventive administration of these nutraceuticals showed anti-inflammatory effects in this validated synovitis model. Therefore, further studies of their clinical applicability are warranted
Effects of Oral Glucosamine Hydrochloride Administration on Plasma Free Amino Acid Concentrations in Dogs
We examined the effects of oral glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN), N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and d-glucose (Glc) administration on plasma total free amino acid (PFAA) concentrations in dogs. The PFAA concentrations increased in the control group and the GlcNAc group at one hour after feeding, and each amino acid concentration increased. On the other hand, in the GlcN group and the Glc group PFAA concentrations decreased at one hour after feeding. A significant decrease in amino acid concentration was observed for glutamate, glycine and alanine. Our results suggest the existence of differences in PFAA dynamics after oral administration of GlcN and GlcNAc in dogs
The effect of medical grade honey on tensile strength, strain, and Young's modulus of synthetic absorbable suture material used in equine surgery
Background
Medical grade honey (MGH) has been introduced as a protective measure against surgical site infections in equine surgery, but the effect on suture material has not been investigated.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of MGH on the tensile properties of three synthetic absorbable suture materials.
Study Design
In vitro experiments.
Methods
Ten strands of Polydioxanone USP 2 (PD2), Polyglactin 910 USP 2 (PG2) and Polyglecaprone USP 2-0 (PC2-0) were incubated 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in MGH, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), equine plasma (EP) and MGH mixed with equine plasma (HP). Mechanical testing was performed recording maximum load at failure (N), strain at failure and Young's modulus (N/mm2). The results were reported from a Welch or regular ANOVA.
Results
PD2 in MGH had a significantly higher tensile strength compared to PD2 in EP (p < 0.05, mean difference (md) = 16.95 N, CI95% (9.19–24.70 N)) and PBS (p < 0.05, md = 14.48 N CI95% (6.73–22.23 N)) on day 7 and the remaining time points. PG2 incubated in MGH had a significantly higher tensile strength compared to EP (p < 0.05, md = 69.28 N CI95% (64.16–74.40 N)) and PBS (p < 0.05, md = 56.90 N CI95% (51.78–62.02 N)) until day 28. PC2-0 incubated in MGH had a significantly higher tensile strength compared to EP (p < 0.05 md = 12.40 N CI95% (4.59 N–20.20 N)) and PBS (p < 0.05 md = 11.23 CI95% (3.42–19.03 N)) on day 7 and the remaining time points.
Main Limitations
The sutures were unloaded during incubation and a single cycle to failure test was only performed, which does not reflect the in vivo environment where shear forces are present.
Conclusions
MGH did not negatively affect the tensile strength of the suture material and can safely be applied in contact with suture materials commonly used in equine surgery
Comparison between radiography and CT for diagnosis and treatment in horses with sinonasal disease
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