Effect of arthroscopic surgery and post-surgical triamcinolone acetonide administration on synovial fluid, serum, urine and kinetic biomarkers in an equine metacarpophalangeal osteochondral injury model

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. July 2012. Major: Veterinary medicine. Advisor: Troy N. Trumble. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 54 pages.Objective- The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of arthroscopic surgery and post-surgical administration of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on biomarkers and lameness. Animals- Seven adult Quarter Horses had an osteochondral (OC) fragment arthroscopically created on the first phalanx of one metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). Procedures- Lameness exams, force plate data, SF from both MCPJs, serum, and urine, were collected on weeks 0 (fragment creation), 16 (fragment removal), 17 (1 week post removal), 18 (1 week post injection, 2 weeks post removal) and 20 (3 weeks post injection, 4 weeks post removal). After week 17 fluid collection, horses were randomly divided into 2 intra-articular treatment groups: 10 mg TA (n=4) or 1 ml saline (n=3). Biomarkers of joint metabolism (BAP, CP II, C1,2C, C2C, CTX II, NO, and HMGB1) were evaluated in SF, serum, and/or urine using ELISAs. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for analysis, significant at P < 0.05. Results- OC fragment creation resulted in collagen degradation as seen by SF increases of CTX II and C2C at week 16 from week 0 (P=0.048 and P<0.001). After TA administration, SF C2C concentrations increased, but CTX II concentrations decreased compared to saline controls (P