Equine tendonitis therapy using mesenchymal stem cells and platelet concentrates: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine
• Equine Sports Medicine

Background:

• Tendon injuries are a primary cause of lameness and reduced performance in athletic horses.
• Current therapies for equine tendonitis offer limited tissue regeneration and high recurrence rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (adMSCs) combined with platelet concentrate (PC) for treating experimentally induced equine tendonitis.

Main Methods:

• Equine superficial digital flexor tendonitis was induced using collagenase gel.
• Lesions were treated with intralesional adMSCs in PC or phosphate-buffered saline (control).
• Serial ultrasound, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound and histopathology revealed improved outcomes in the adMSC + PC group.
• Histopathology showed better collagen fiber organization and reduced inflammation.
• Ultrasound indicated a lack of lesion progression and increased blood flow.

Conclusions:

• AdMSCs combined with PC effectively prevented tendon lesion progression in horses.
• This combination therapy promoted better tissue organization and reduced inflammation.
• The findings support the therapeutic potential of adMSCs and PC for equine tendonitis.