Correlation between synovial fluid cytokine concentrations and limb function in normal dogs and in dogs with lameness from spontaneous osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To determine the relationship between synovial biomarker concentrations and severity of lameness and to assess the ability to differentiate normal from osteoarthritic joints with synovial biomarker concentrations. Study design Prospective clinical study. Sample population Twelve hounds with no evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) and 27 client‐owned dogs with unilateral lameness and joint pain in a single joint from naturally occurring OA. Methods Enrollment in the OA group required a history of lameness, radiographic evidence of OA on orthogonal joint radiographs, and ≥6% gait asymmetry between contralateral limbs. The concentrations of 14 synovial OA biomarkers in synovial samples obtained after gait analysis were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and compared between normal and OA joints. Results Concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1, substance P, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, KC‐like, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, and MMP‐3 were greater (P ≤ .05) in OA than in normal joints. The concentrations of bradykinin and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase‐4 were decreased in OA compared with normal joints. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 was identified as the most accurate marker to distinguish OA from normal joints. No correlation was detected between any OA biomarker concentration, individually or in combination, and severity of gait asymmetry at the walk. Conclusion Differences in proinflammatory and anti‐inflammatory biomarkers were detected between OA and normal joints, but no relationship was identified between biomarker concentrations and gait asymmetry in dogs with OA. Clinical impact This information will help guide future studies to elucidate how factors such as disease chronicity, severity, and etiology affect these relationships.

Variations in gene expression levels with severity of synovitis in dogs with naturally occurring stifle osteoarthritis

“…In the present study, MMP3 expression levels in both the low-and high-grade groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. These results differed from those of the human studies; however, there has been shown that MMP-3 levels were significantly lower in the synovial fluid of dogs with spontaneous OA than that of normal dogs [27]. Therefore, a part of the pathology in OA may be different between human and dogs.…”

Knee Joint Distraction in a Dog as Treatment for Severe Osteoarthritis

“…28 In dogs, increased levels IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2 have been associated with OA pain, although no correlation with radiographic OA severity or gait asymmetry was found. 29 30 31 The increase in inflammatory cytokines IL-7 and IL-15 during KJD in this study could be explained by increased catabolic activity during KJD, as is found during joint immobilization and midway KJD in experimental dogs. 32 However, in line with the clinical improvement observed, SF levels of IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2 decreased after KJD treatment.…”

Effects of Intra-Articular Autologous Adipose Micrograft for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study appraising synovial fluid after the administration of microfragmented adipose tissue in dogs. The cytological analysis of synovial fluid provides a qualitative measure of joint health, mainly associated with prognostic purposes [ 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ]. In addition to the short-term cytological evaluation, the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid was also evaluated.…”