Ahmed M Elmesiry, Magdi A Seleim, Ali A Mansour and David Cullis-Hill
Reasons for performing study: Disease modifying drugs for Osteoarthritis (OA) is an important trend of development of an appropriate therapeutic protocol for both human and animal. To date no ideal OA treatment protocol has been described. Objectives: To assess clinical, histologic, and biochemical effects of sodium pentosan polysulfate (NaPPS) administered intramuscullary (IM) for treatment of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in donkeys. Study design: OA was induced using repeated injection of allogenous donkey cartilage. Six donkeys received NaPPS (3 mg/kg, IM) on study days 70, 77, 84, and 91. Six control donkeys received the same volume of saline (0.9% w/v NaCl) IM on study days 70, 77, 84, and 91. Clinical, gross, histologic, histochemical, and biochemical findings as well as synovial fluid analysis were evaluated. Methods of testing hypotheses: Lameness score, carpal circumference, joint flexion angle, Synovial fluid analysis, light and scanning electron microscopy were evaluated. Results: Induction of osteoarthritis caused increase in the lameness score, joint circumference, synovial fluid calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total protein and leukocyte count and cartilage damage. NaPPS treatment significantly reduced synovial fluid Ca, Mg, P and cartilage damage. Conclusions: NaPPS resulted in significant improvement in clinical signs and articular cartilage healing, and no adverse effects were detected confirming that NaPPS has disease-modifying properties. Potential relevance: NaPPS is a suitable therapeutic option for osteoarthritis in equines.