Acupoint Injection of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction and Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Treat Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Abstract

Stem cells isolated from adipose tissue show great therapeutic potential in veterinary medicine, but some points such as the use of fresh or cultured cells and route of administration need better knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF, n = 4) or allogeneic cultured adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs, n = 5) injected into acupuncture points in dogs with hip dysplasia and weak response to drug therapy. Canine ASCs have proliferation and differentiation potential similar to ASCs from other species. After the first week of treatment, clinical evaluation showed marked improvement compared with baseline results in all patients treated with autologous SVF and three of the dogs treated with allogeneic ASCs. On days 15 and 30, all dogs showed improvement in range of motion, lameness at trot, and pain on manipulation of the joints, except for one ASC-treated patient. Positive results were more clearly seen in the SVF-treated group. These results show that autologous SVF or allogeneic ASCs can be safely used in acupoint injection for treating hip dysplasia in dogs and represent an important therapeutic alternative for this type of pathology. Further studies are necessary to assess a possible advantage of SVF cells in treating joint diseases.

Concise Review: Stem Cell Trials Using Companion Animal Disease Models

“…Four of five stem cell trials focused on canine hip and one on canine elbow OA (loci of highest prevalence), and all trials employed single injections of intra‐articular AD‐MSC. AD‐MSC was used alone , or in conjunction with either intra‐articular autologous platelets rich in growth factors (PrP) or hyaluronic acid (HA) as a chondroprotective agent (Table ) Comparisons were made between cultured AD‐MSC plus PrP versus AD‐MSC plus HA , or AD‐MSC versus fresh stromal vascular fraction (SVF) . Interestingly, one trial employed injections at acupuncture points rather than intra‐articular injections .…”

Isolation, proliferation and characterization of endometrial canine stem cells

“…As a matter of fact, in recent years, the application of bone marrow or adipose tissue‐derived MSC in veterinary medicine has seen a significant development especially in dogs and horses. Although the results have been sometimes debated for the lack of proper controls, positive results have been reported, for example, in the therapy of tendonitis (Frisbie & Smith, ; Riccò et al., ) and osteoarthritis (Jo et al., ) in the horse, chronic osteoarthritis of elbow joints (Black et al., ), hyp dysplasia (Marx et al., ), soft tissue healing (Zubin et al., ) in the dog.…”

Emprego Da Acupuntura Veterinária Na Displasia Coxofemoral Em Cães

“…Podemos citar ainda, métodos menos difundidos, tais como: o uso de ventosas, que utiliza a pressão negativa de dentro de um recipiente com válvulas de borracha ou aquecidos, para sugar a pele, afim de estimular o tecido local e terminações nervosas (NÚÑES; RODRÍGUEZ, 2014); acuinjeção, corresponde a aplicação de substâncias injetáveis nos acupontos, como: soluções salinas ou água destilada (aquapuntura); glicose e vitaminas; autólogos de sangue (hemopuntura); veneno de abelha (apipuntura); injeção de ar (pneumoacupuntura); injeção de fármacos (farmacopuntura) e injeção de células-tronco (MARX et al, 2014).…”

“…Ao fim do tratamento observou-se melhora dos sinais clínicos, tais como diminuição da dor e aumento do ângulo de movimento da articulação, melhora nas atividades locomotoras, maior tolerância a exercícios e maior desenvolvimento dos músculos pélvicos. Marx et al (2014) propuseram em estudo realizado na Universidade Luterana do Brasil, a injeção de células-tronco mesenquimais isoladas a partir autólogos de frações vascular estromal e tecido adiposo alogênico nos acupontos VB29, VB30 e B54, afim de avaliar a eficácia desse método no tratamento de cães com DCF. Porém, não justificaram a utilização desses acupontos.…”