Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCS) Therapy for Tendon Repair in Equines

Abstract

The present study comprised 2 phases; the first phase was to experimentally evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in healing of collagenase-induced SDFT tendon lesions in horse. The horses were clinically, ultrasonographically and morphohistologically evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 12 &16 weeks. Results proved the potential of autologous MSCs to accelerating tendon repair in terms of quality and time. The success of treatment was proven by the shortened rehabilitation time and the higher returning to athletic activity. The second phase was to apply and evaluate the therapeutic effect of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) studied in the experimental phase on athletic horses affected with acute superficial digital flexor tendonitis. A total of 15 mixed breed athletic horses confirmed to have acute tendonitis of SDFT were included. Bone marrow was then harvested from the sternum of each horse using Jamshidi biopsy needle for MSCs isolation and culture. Auto implantation of a single dose of MSCs (1 ml, 10 ×106 cells) into the core lesion of each affected tendon was performed under US guidance after thorough aseptic preparation. The horses were subjected to a rehabilitation program until the end of the follow-up period (8 weeks). Clinical and ultrasonographic findings were satisfactory after 8 weeks of MSCs therapy. In conclusion autogenous MSCs therapy has proven to have a reparative effect on acute tendonitis since the majority of treated patients (66.7 %) have returned to athletic activity.