Autologous mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of acute superficial digital flexor tendonitis in athletic horses- A clinical study of 1 5 cases

Abstract

Acute tendonitis is typically associated with core lesion formation with accompanied degenerative changes and microdamage of collo-gen fiber cross-linking and regenerative therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is one of the most advanced medical treatments. The aim of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on athletic horses offected with acute superficial digital flexor tendonitis. A total of 15 mixed breed athletic horses confirmed to have acute tendonitis of SDFT were included. The affected SDFTs were confirmed via clinical examination and ultrasonography. Bone marrow was then harvested from the sternum of each horse using Jamshidi biopsy needle for MSCs isolation and culture. Auto implantation of a single dose of MSCs (1 ml, 10 x 106 cells) into the core lesion of each affected tendon was performed under US guidance after thorough aseptic preparation. After 2 weeks of stall rest, the horses were subjected to a rehabilitation program by daily hand walk for 15-30 minutes until the end of the follow-up period (8 weeks). All horses were subjected to clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation at 2,4, and 8 weeks post injection. Ultrasonographic examination of the affected zones wos carried out at the pal mora-metacarpal region to determine the length of the maximum injured zone lesion (MIZ%), the echogenicity of the core lesion, and the tendon fiber alignment pattern. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings were satisfactory after 8 weeks of MSCs therapy. In conclusion autogenous MSCs therapy has proven to have a reparative effect on acute tendonitis since the majority of treated patients (66.7%) hove returned to athletic activity.