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. 2023 Jan;52(1):62-68.
doi: 10.1111/vsu.13918. Epub 2022 Nov 21.

Effects of intra-articular injection of an acellular equine liquid amniotic allograft in healthy equine joints

Danica D Wolkowski  1 , Robert D McCarthy  2 , Mike J Schoonover  2 , Jared D Taylor  3 , Timothy G Eastman  1
Affiliations

Effects of intra-articular injection of an acellular equine liquid amniotic allograft in healthy equine joints

Danica D Wolkowski et al. Vet Surg. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate effects of acellular equine liquid amnion allograft (ELAA) injected into healthy equine joints.

Study design: Randomized, blinded, controlled experiment.

Animals: Eight healthy adult horses.

Methods: One intercarpal joint (ICJ) of each horse was randomly assigned to be injected with 1.5 ml of ELAA (treatment) while the contralateral ICJ was injected with 1.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl (control). Subjective lameness evaluation, force plate analysis, and synovial fluid analysis, including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) analysis, were performed before (day 0) and at days 1, 3, 5, and 10. Synovial fluid analysis was also performed on days 20 and 30.

Results: No difference in subjective lameness (P = .75) and no decrease in peak vertical force or vertical impulse were seen in any limb on any day. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC) was increased in treatment joints on days 1 (P = .0007; T: 6039 cells/μl, C: 240 cells/μl) and 3 (P < .0001; T: 1119 cells/μl, C: 240 cells/μl). Log-10 transformed values for IL-1ra were higher in treated joints on days 1 (P = .0005; T: 3553.7 pg/ml, C: 1890.1 pg/ml) and 3 (P = .01; T: 2283.2 pg/ml, C: 1250.7 pg/ml).

Conclusion: Injection of ELAA into the ICJ caused an increase in synovial fluid TNCC in comparison with saline control but no lameness was observed. There was increased IL-1ra on days 1 and 3 after ELAA injection.

Clinical significance: Intra-articular injection of ELAA into healthy equine joints results in no significant safety concerns. The observed increase in IL-1ra may provide beneficial effects in inflamed joints.

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References

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