Skip to content
Search Library
thumbnail

To help injured joints and supporting soft tissues after trauma or injury, veterinarians recommend a multimodal approach. In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic options include high-quality joint supplements; extracorporeal shockwave therapy; and regenerative therapies such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma. Scientists now say that horses don’t need actual stem cells to prompt healing, just specific proteins secreted by the cells called secretomes.*

Stem cell therapy has been available to horses for years. Stem cells stimulate and coordinate the healing process, and are most commonly used for joint, tendon, and ligament injuries. These specialized cells are typically isolated from fat or bone marrow, either from the injured horse or from a donor horse. Various routes of administration are possible; however, direct injection into the lesion or affected joint appears to be preferred by veterinarians.

“Some potential drawbacks to injecting stem cells into injured or traumatized horses exist. For example, there is a delay between injury and injection due to the time required to process stem cells. Further, inflammation or infection can develop following injection, particularly if stem cells from a donor horse are used,” noted Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., of Kentucky Equine Research.

One way to expedite the treatment process is through the use of secretomes. “These protein molecules reportedly have the same functions as stem cells themselves, such as anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative features. In addition, secretomes are less likely to provoke an immune response, thereby sidestepping adverse reactions,” Whitehouse added.

Stem cell secretomes can be manufactured and stored as ready-to-use powder that requires only saline for mixing prior to injection. This extends the shelf life of the product and bypasses problems associated with cell damage or death during processing, transport, and administration.

Not all injuries among performance horses can be avoided, but a proactive approach to joint health can keep some problems from developing. Prophylactic use of high-quality supplements is one way to support normal joint function in horses of all ages.

*Mocchi, M., S. Dotti, M. Del Bue, R. Villa, E. Bari, S. Perteghella, M.L. Torre, and S. Grolli. 2020. Veterinary regenerative medicine for musculoskeletal disorders: Can mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their secretome be the new frontier? Cells 9(6):E1453.

X

Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free now!