Degenerative joint disease which is one of the biggest causes of poor performance and decreased competitive lifespan in horses is the result of processes that damage the joints and cartilage and cause bone deterioration, either as break-down of bony structures or as new bone growth that results in deformities to the structure.
Joint disease treatment for horses
Use of the IRAP treatment system stimulates the horses' white blood cells to produce anti-inflammatory mediators and enzymes that reduce the inflammation present caused by degenerative joint disease.
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP) is a new and effective intra-articular treatment for joint disease in horses. The IRAP system has been designed to stimulate the horses' own white blood cells to produce anti-inflammatory mediators and enzymes that can reduce the inflammation present as a result of degenerative joint disease.
Initially blood is collected from the jugular vein and incubated for 24 hours in special syringes that contain glass beads that induce the white blood cells present in the blood to produce and secrete therapeutic proteins. After 24 hours the blood is centrifuged and the serum is separated from the red blood cells.
The protein rich serum is then split into 3ml doses and the separate doses are frozen for use at a later date. Typically each collection produces enough serum for between 6-8 injections. It is important to note that the injections are only suitable to treat the horse from which the original blood was collected. The injections can be stored for up to 12 months from the date of collection.
When injected into a joint, the protein rich serum stimulates a regenerative response from cartilage cells, through a process of cell division and increased cell recruitment. This is actually what sets IRAP apart from other intra-articular treatments for joint disease.
The fact that IRAP stimulates cartilage cells means that it has a disease modifying component as well as an anti-inflammatory component. The serum also contains cytokines that act to reduce inflammation within the joint. In addition there are other anti-inflammatory proteins produced during the incubation process that work synergistically with the cytokines to further reduce the inflammation within the diseased joint.
Studies performed in Colorado State University show that treated horses demonstrate reduced lameness, improved joint cellular make upInterleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein and a tendency towards cartilage preservation.