Effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate on serum calcium-regulating hormones and plasma and urinary electrolytes in healthy horses.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is used in equine practice to treat hypomagnesemia, dysrhythmias, neurological disorders, and calcium dysregulation. MgSO4 is also used as a calming agent in equestrian events. Hypercalcemia affects calcium-regulating hormones, as well as plasma and urinary electrolytes; however, the effect of hypermagnesemia on these variables is unknown.

Pharmacokinetics of magnesium and its effects on clinical variables following experimentally induced hypermagnesemia.

The objectives of this study were to describe pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes as a result of a single intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO ) to healthy horses. MgSO is a magnesium salt that has been used to calm horses in equestrian competition and is difficult to regulate because magnesium is an essential constituent of all mammals. Six healthy adult female horses were administered a single intravenous dose of MgSO at 60 mg/kg of body weight over 5 min.

Radio-Telemetric Assessment of Cardiac Variables and Locomotion With Experimentally Induced Hypermagnesemia in Horses Using Chronically Implanted Catheters.

The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate to horses using a novel radio-telemetry system for physiologic signal capture. Five Horses were surgically implanted with a radio-telemetric carotid catheter. Implants were paired with a non-invasive telemetric unit which acquired a six lead ECG and 3-axis acceleration to assess activity acquired wirelessly in real-time for future analysis.

Assessment of a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion using movement between vertebrae: a modification of the palpation exam for quantifying fusions.

Background: Manual palpation of rabbit spine levels has been used to assess fusion status. This method of testing is subject to inter-observer differences in assessment. We attempted to quantify fusion based on the amount of movement between rabbit vertebrae at the level of fusion.

Evaluation of a Novel Bone Substitute Injection Technique for Potential Treatment of Impact Injury to the Equine Palmar Metacarpal Condyle.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the injection of a bone substitute material (BSM) into an impact lesion in the palmar condyle of the third metacarpal bone.

Study Design:  This was an controlled study performed on six horses.

Materials And Methods:  Medial metacarpal condyles were exposed via arthrotomy and a compressive lesion created in anaesthetized horses using 80 psi (27.

The Concentration of Plasma Provides Additional Bioactive Proteins in Platelet and Autologous Protein Solutions.

Background: Currently, platelet-poor plasma (PPP) is a discarded waste product of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and may contain valuable proteins.

Purpose/hypothesis: The study's goal was to evaluate the concentration of plasma as a potential additive biotherapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. We hypothesized that a novel polyacrylamide concentration device would efficiently concentrate insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) from PPP and be additive to PRP or autologous protein solution (APS).

Synovium extra cellular matrices seeded with transduced mesenchymal stem cells stimulate chondrocyte maturation in vitro and cartilage healing in clinically-induced rat-knee lesions in vivo.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease associated with cartilage injury and its inherently limited repair capability. Synovium-based cellular constructs (sConstructs) are proposed as possible treatments. Equine sConstructs were produced from decellularized synovium-based extracellular matrix scaffolds (sECM) seeded with synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (sMSC), and engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP), or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2).

Evaluation of an osteochondral fragment-groove procedure for induction of metacarpophalangeal joint osteoarthritis in horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate lameness and morphological changes associated with an osteochondral fragment-groove procedure as a means of experimental induction of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint osteoarthritis within an 11-week period in horses. ANIMALS 6 nonlame adult warmbloods. PROCEDURES The right MCP joint of each horse underwent an osteochondral fragment-groove procedure (day 0).

Ionized magnesium and calcium concentration and their ratio in equine plasma samples as determined by a regulatory laboratory compared to a clinical reference laboratory.

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO ) was administered to calm competition horses. We evaluated the impact of regulatory requirements for the handling of blood samples on plasma ionized magnesium (iMg), ionized calcium (iCa), the iMg to iCa ratio, and pH. We hypothesized that iCa, iMg.

Cathepsin K Localizes to Equine Bone and Inhibits Bone Marrow Stem and Progenitor Cells Differentiation .

Selective inhibition of Cathepsin K (CatK) has a promising therapeutic potential for diseases associated with bone loss and osseous inflammation, such as osteoarthritis, periodontitis, and osteoporosis. In horses, stress-related bone injuries are common and accompanied by bone pain and inflammation resulting in excessive bone resorption and periostitis. VEL-0230 is a highly selective inhibitor of CatK that significantly decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation biomarkers.

Evaluation of equine synovial-derived extracellular matrix scaffolds seeded with equine synovial-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE To create a bioactive synovium scaffold by infusing decellularized synovial-derived extracellular matrix (synECM) with synovial-derived mesenchymal stem cells (synMSCs). SAMPLE Synovium from the femoropatellar and medial femorotibial joints of equine cadavers. PROCEDURES The synMSCs were cultured in monolayer and not treated or cotransduced to enhance expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and human bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2.

The temporal expression of adipokines during spinal fusion.

Background Context: Adipokines are secreted by white adipose tissue and have been associated with fracture healing. Our goal was to report the temporal expression of adipokines during spinal fusion in an established rabbit model.

Purpose: Our goal was to report the temporal expression of adipokines during spinal fusion in an established rabbit model.

Effects of hyaluronan alone or in combination with chondroitin sulfate and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide challenge-exposed equine fibroblast-like synovial cells.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) or HA combined with chondroitin sulfate (CS) and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG) by use of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro method. SAMPLE Monolayer cultures of synovial cells from 4 adult horses. PROCEDURES Synovial cell cultures were untreated or treated with HA alone or HA-CS-NAG for 24 hours, subsequently unchallenged or challenge-exposed with 2 LPS concentrations (20 and 50 ng/mL) for 2 hours, and retreated with HA or HA-CS-NAG for another 24 hours.

Equine Dental Pulp Connective Tissue Particles Reduced Lameness in Horses in a Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: To assess if injection of allogeneic dental pulp tissue particles would improve lameness in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) or soft tissue (ST) injury.

Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, and controlled clinical trial and client survey assessment.

Animals: Forty lame client-owned horses.

The ACL injury response: A collagen-based analysis.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries do not effectively heal. Tendon graft tissue after reconstruction shows rapid tissue turnover and 'ligamentization.' It is unknown whether native torn ACL tissue undergoes significant collagen turnover after injury or is arrested by the intraarticular environment.

Electroacupuncture Promotes Central Nervous System-Dependent Release of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Electroacupuncture (EA) performed in rats and humans using limb acupuncture sites, LI-4 and LI-11, and GV-14 and GV-20 (humans) and Bai-hui (rats) increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the amygdala and mobilized mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the systemic circulation. In human subjects, the source of the MSC was found to be primarily adipose tissue, whereas in rodents the tissue sources were considered more heterogeneous. Pharmacological disinhibition of rat hypothalamus enhanced sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and similarly resulted in a release of MSC into the circulation.

Comparison of four methods for generating decellularized equine synovial extracellular matrix.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate 4 methods for generating decellularized equine synovial extracellular matrix. SAMPLE Villous synovium harvested from the femoropatellar and medial femorotibial joints of 4 healthy adult horses < 7 years of age. Synovial samples were frozen (-80°C) until used.

Concurrent or sequential tibial subchondral cystic lesions in 4 horses with medial femoral condyle subchondral cystic lesions.

CASE DESCRIPTION 4 horses were examined because of signs of chronic hind limb lameness. CLINICAL FINDINGS 3 horses had a history of lameness for > 6 months; specific duration was unknown for 1 horse. On initial evaluation, grade 3 to 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5) hind limb lameness was present in all 4 horses.

Experimental Design and Surgical Approach to Create a Spinal Fusion Model in a New Zealand White Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

There are several animal models routinely used for study of the spinal fusion process and animal selection largely depends on the scientific question to be answered. This review outlines the advantages and disadvantages of various animal models used to study spinal fusion and describes the New Zealand White (NSW) rabbit which is the most popular preclinical model to study spinal fusion. We outline critical steps required in planning and performing spinal fusion surgery in this model.

Evaluation of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of Autologous Protein Solution for Treatment of Osteoarthritis in a Canine Population.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution (APS) for treatment of canine osteoarthritis (OA).

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.

Animals: Client-owned dogs with single limb lameness because of OA in a stifle or elbow joint (n=21).

Effects of repetition within trials and frequency of trial sessions on quantitative parameters of vertical force peak in horses with naturally occurring lameness.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of vertical force peak (VFP) of repition within trials and between trial sessions in horses with naturally occurring appendicular lameness. ANIMALS 20 lame horses acclimated to trotting over a force plate. PROCEDURES Kinetic gait data were collected by use of a force plate regarding affected and contralateral limbs of lame horses that completed 5 valid repetitions in each of 5 sessions performed at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, constituting 1 trial/horse.

Cathepsin K inhibition renders equine bone marrow nucleated cells hypo-responsive to LPS and unmethylated CpG stimulation in vitro.

Cathepsin K (CatK) is an important enzyme regulating bone degradation and has been shown to contribute to the immune response. We have studied two inflammatory models in equine bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs); the LPS and the unmethylated CpG stimulation with the following objectives to: 1.determine whether CatK inhibition will alter the cytokine secretion by stimulated BMNCs; specifically IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and 2.

Thromboelastographic Clot Characteristics of Autologous Equine Blood Products After Activation by Autologous Thrombin, Bovine Thrombin, or Calcium Chloride.

Objective: To compare clotting efficiency of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and concentrated platelet-poor plasma (cPPP) to citrated whole blood after activation by autologous thrombin, bovine thrombin, or calcium chloride (CaCl2 ).

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Healthy adult horses (n = 6).

Evaluation of the ability of a gravitational filtration system to enhance recovery of equine bone marrow elements.

Objective: To assess efficiency of gravity filtration to enhance recovery of equine bone marrow elements including stem and progenitor cells.

Animals: 12 healthy adult horses.

Procedures: Bone marrow aspirates were collected from the fifth sternebral body and filtered by gravitational flow to obtain bone marrow elements.

Fetal vs adult mesenchymal stem cells achieve greater gene expression, but less osteoinduction.

Aim: To investigate adenoviral transduction in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and effects on stemness in vitro and function as a cell therapy in vivo.

Methods: Bone marrow-derived adult and fetal MSC were isolated from an equine source and expanded in monolayer tissue culture. Polyethylenimine (PEI)-mediated transfection of pcDNA3-eGFP or adenoviral transduction of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was evaluated in fetal MSCs.