Use of autologous platelet concentrates obtained by the tube method as a treatment for arthropathies in horses

Abstract

The clinical effect of the intra-articular injection of an autologous platelet concentrate (APC) in 7 horses with severe joint disease (4 with osteoarthritis and 3 with osteochondrosis) was evaluated. The degree of lameness (DL) and joint effusion (JE) were recorded. Three injections of the APC were performed at two week intervals. Horses were evaluated before each injection and two months after the last treatment. Clinical follow-up was conducted during 1 year. Count of platelets, leucocytes, and determination of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β₁) levels per ml of the APC were performed. A mean of 250 (range: 140-480) x 10⁶ platelets, 8.68 (3.3-18) leucocytes x 10⁶, and 12.5 (3-15) ng of TGF-β₁ per ml of the APC were obtained. No adverse clinical signs resulted from this treatment. Horses treated with APCs showed a clinical improvement in both the DL and JE. The most remarkable improvement was observed 2 months after the last treatment and apparently persisted up until 8 months later. Despite the seemingly positive effects of this substance, the clinical use of APCs cannot be recommended until further studies with higher number of cases and longer follow up can be undertaken.