Utvärdering av autologt konditionerat serum
Joint injury (inflammation) or osteoarthritis is the most common cause of poor performance in the athletic horse. Osteoarthritis is the ensuing degeneration of joint cartilage due to inflammation/injury. The single most important factor in the inflammation cascade of joint injuries is interleukin-1 (IL-1). Until recently, these injuries have been treated with products like hyaluronic acid, cortisone and polysulphated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG).
Several studies have not been able to demonstrate a significant difference in the clinical improvement of joint injuries treated with hyaluronic acid or PSGAG and saline. Cortisone is a potent-inflammatory agent that may on the other hand delay injury repair and has a catabolic effect on joint cartilage.
Autologous conditioned serum (ACS, trade name; Irap) is a therapeutic method where the horse?s own blood is used to create an anti-inflammatory ?soup?, containing mainly interleukin-1 receptor protein antagonists. The theoretic basis for the use of ACS in inflamed joints is sound, as well as the results of clinical trails where Irap have been tested against hyaluronic acid and saline.
In this clinical survey, Irap was compared with hyaluronic acid and PSGAG in two groups of ten intermediate level jumping horses at two equine clinics. The horses included in this survey were not responsive to treatment with hyaluronic acid or PSGAG and subsequently treated with Irap. A measure for successful treatment with Irap was the return to normal performance three month post treatment.
Seven of ten and ten of ten horses returned to full activity after three month post treatment with Irap that had not responded to hyaluronic acid or PSGAG.
This survey indicates that Irap is well worth further investigation as a therapeutic model of osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis in the athletic horse.