Dynamics in serum of the inflammatory markers serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen and α₂‐globulins during induced noninfectious arthritis in the horse

Abstract

Summary Despite the importance of noninfectious joint diseases in equine medicine, little is known about the acute phase response which may be elicited if the local inflammatory process of noninfectious arthritis is sufficiently strong, Therefore the aim of this study was to monitor the systemic inflammatory response during experimentally‐induced noninfectious arthritis by studying the dynamics in serum of the acute phase proteins serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen and α2‐globulins. Twenty‐four Standardbred horses, age 3–7 years, found healthy on thorough clinical, radiological, haematological and serum biochemical examination, were injected aseptically into the right midcarpal joint with amphotericin B. Blood samples were drawn before induction of arthritis (0 h), and at 8, 16, 24, 36 and 48 h postinduction and then on Days 3, 4, 5 and 15 postinduction. All horses developed lameness with joint effusion and joint heat as well as increased respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature. The lameness started to decline after 24–36 h and, in most animals, systemic signs disappeared on Day 2 postinjection. The concentration of the acute phase proteins increased following induction of arthritis. The SAA concentrations were higher than baseline concentrations from 16 h postinduction and were maximal at 36–48 h (227 times baseline concentration). The haptoglobin concentrations were higher than baseline concentrations from 24 h and were maximal at 48–96 h (1.14 times baseline concentration). The maximal concentrations of fibrinogen were seen between 36–72 h postinjection and increased on average 0.87 times from baseline concentrations. The fibrinogen concentrations were higher than baseline concentrations from 24 h postinjection. α2‐globulins concentrations showed a minor in crease and increased 0.55 times from baseline concentrations. The markers had returned to baseline concentrations by Day 15. Our results demonstrate that amphotericin B‐induced arthritis in a single joint gives rise to a systemic acute phase response measurable as increased concentrations in serum SAA, haptoglobin, fibrinogen and α2‐globulins during the first 2 weeks of the condition and, thereby, that such an increase need not be indicative of infectious arthritis. Further research should be aimed at determining whether chronic noninfectious arthritis in the horse gives rise to increased acute phase protein concentrations in serum.

Gambling on putative biomarkers of osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis by equine synovial fluid proteomics

“…In particular, various deregulated proteins related to inflammatory status observed in OA have been reported also to play a direct/indirect effect on the enzymatic activity of matrix proteases and on extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. For example, α2MG (up-regulated in OA - Table 2) modulates MMPs/ ADAMTs activity [56] and its macrophage production [57], plays a distinct role in ECM turnover [58] and is overexpressed in non-infectious equine arthritis [59], human OA, JA and RA [36,38,60]. Similarly, ITI-H1 (up-regulated in OA samples - Table 2) plays a prominent role in HA metabolism, affects the function of various matrix proteins and has been already associated with OA and RA [37,61].…”

Factors Influencing Serum Amyloid Type A (Saa) Concentrations in Horses

“…Some studies have suggested that SAA is even more sensitive than classical markers of inflammation, such as white blood cell count and Fb [30,31], as stated previously. Various factors such as fear, excitement and infections, among others, mainly induce increased cortisol and neutrophilic leukocytosis type levels.…”

“…Subsequently, these values returned to baseline levels in 10 days to 4 weeks, which coincided with to the disappearance of clinical signs. To monitor the responsiveness of SAA aseptic arthritis in Standardbred horses, serial blood samples were taken by Hultén et al [30] using the following protocol: before induction (0 h), at 8, 16, 24, 36 and 48 hours and then at 3, 4, 5 and 15 days post-induction. SAA concentrations increased at 16 hours, reached a peak at 36 -48 h (227 times higher than the baseline), and remained elevated for two weeks.…”

Reação de fase aguda e sua relação com o desempenho de cavalos em competição de longa distância

“…Essa proteína é produzida principalmente pelos hepatócitos, e seu papel é impedir a perda de ferro pela formação de complexos estáveis com a hemoglobina livre no sangue (Murata et al, 2004). Sua elevação pode estar relacionada a qualquer processo inflamatório, e seu aumento em equinos foi observado após procedimentos cirúrgicos (Kent, 1992), artrite não infecciosa (Hulten et al, 2002) e laminite induzida por carboidratos (Fagliari et al, 1997). Sua diminuição está relacionada a quadros de hemólise induzida pelo exercício, conforme descrito por Masini et al (2003).…”