Miguel Pastor, Laura

Introduction: Articular cartilage injuries are a severe problem, and the treatments for these injuries are complex. The present study investigates a treatment for full-thickness cartilage defects called Autologous Chondral Platelet Rich Plasma Matrix Implantation (PACI) in a sheep model. Methods: Chondral defects 8 mm in diameter were surgically induced in the medial femoral condyles of both stifles in eight healthy sheep. Right stifles were treated with PACI and an intraarticular injection with a plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) solution [treatment group (TRT)], while an intraarticular injection of Ringer’s lactate solution was administered in left stifles [Control group (CT)]. The limbs’ function was objectively assessed with a force platform to obtain the symmetry index, comparing both groups. After 9 and 18 months, the lesions were macroscopically evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society and Goebel scales. Results: Regarding the symmetry index, the TRT group obtained results similar to those of healthy limbs at 9 and 18 months after treatment. Regarding the macroscopic assessment, the values obtained by the TRT group were very close to those of normal cartilage and superior to those obtained by the CT group at 9 months. Conclusion: This new bioregenerative treatment modality can regenerate hyaline articular cartilage. High functional outcomes have been reported, together with a good quality repair tissue in sheep. Therefore, PACI treatment might be a good therapeutic option for full-thickness chondral lesions.

Background: Intra-articular (IA) combined with intra-osseous (IO) infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) have been proposed as an alternative approach to treat patients with severe osteoarthritis (OA) and subchondral bone damage. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of IO injections of PRGF to treat acute full depth chondral lesion in a rabbit model by using two histological validated scales (OARSI and ICRS II). Methodology: A total of 40 rabbits were included in the study. A full depth chondral defect was created in the medial femoral condyle and then animals were divided into 2 groups depending on the IO treatment injected on surgery day: control group (IA injection of PRGF and IO injection of saline) and treatment group (IA combined with IO injection of PRGF). Animals were euthanized 56 and 84 days after surgery and the condyles were processed for posterior histological evaluation. Results: Better scores were obtained in treatment group in both scoring systems at 56- and 84-days follow-up than in control group. Additionally, longer-term histological benefits have been obtained in the treatment group. Conclusions: The results suggests that IO infiltration of PRGF enhances cartilage and subchondral bone healing more than the IA-only PRGF infiltration and provides longer-lasting beneficial effects.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors (GFs) that modulate the expression of inflammatory cells; thus, these products could be considered a good strategy to favor tissue regeneration in feline immunodeficiency (FIV) positive cats. However, there is no scientific documentation on obtaining PRP in FIV-positive cats. Authors hypothesized that PRP can be obtained in FIV cats following the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology. The objectives of this study were to compare the platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte concentration between whole blood (WB) and the PRP; and determine the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in FIV-positive cats. Sixteen adults FIV-positive asymptomatic cats were included in the study. WB samples were drawn and the PRP was obtained by centrifugation at 265g for 10 min. Erythrocyte and leukocyte, platelets, and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined both in WB and in PRP. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 concentrations were additionally determined in PRP. Platelet concentration increased 1.1 times in PRP fraction compared to WB, but no significant differences were reported. MPV was statistically higher in WB than in PRP (p = 0.001). Erythrocytes and leukocytes counts were decreased by 99% and 92%, respectively in the PRP fraction (p < 0.001). Regarding TGF-ß1, a higher concentration was shown in the PRP (p < 0.02). Although the product obtained could not be classified as PRP according to the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology, based on the drastic reduction of RBC and WBC, the PLT concentrate is of high purity.

Introduction: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a chronic disease that leads to the weakening of a cat's immune system. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers therapeutic effects for multiple diseases, the use of PRP and growth factors (GFs) determination could be an alternative treatment to improve the quality of life in these patients. The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the concentration of platelets (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) between samples of whole blood (WB), PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) fractions, and to evaluate the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in both fractions in FeLV cats using a PRGF®-Endoret® protocol previously standardized in this species. Methods: WB was collected from 11 asymptomatic FeLV-positive cats. PRP and PPP was obtained following PRGF®-Endoret® technology according to centrifugation at 265 g for 10 min. Cellular components, RBCs, WBCs, PLTs, and the PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 concentrations in PRP and PPP fractions were determined. Results: PLT in the PRP fraction was statistically higher than WB and PPP fraction, with no statistical differences between WB and PPP. PLT concentration increased 1.4 times in PRP fraction compared to WB. Mean platelet volume (MPV) did not differ significantly between the WB, PRP, and PPP fractions. Compared to WB, the absolute numbers of RBCs and WBCs were decreased by 99% and more than 95% in the PRP and PPP fractions, respectively. TGF-ß1 concentrations increased in PRP vs. PPP, with no changes in PDGF-BB. Discussion: Based on the degree of PLT enrichment and the absence of RBCs and WBCs, this blood product could be classified as a Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma (P-PRP). The presence of GFs in PRP and PPP samples suggests that the PRGF®-Endoret® methodology is suitable for obtaining PRP in FeLV cats, despite future studies are necessary to optimize the technique, standardize the results and assess clinical efficacy.

PRGF®-Endoret® se caracteriza por una concentración moderada de PLT y la ausencia de glóbulos rojos y leucocitos. El objetivo de este trabajo es estandarizar un protocolo de obtención de PRP para el gato y estudiar cómo la presencia de enfermedades virales como la leucemia (FeLV) y la inmunodeficiencia felina (VIF) podrían influir en su calidad y composición. Se incluyeron en el estudio 30 gatos sanos y se recogieron 3 tubos de 9 ml de sangre y se centrifugaron siguiendo diferentes protocolos: 255 g, 260 gy 265 g durante 10 minutos. Los resultados demostraron que el proceso de centrifugación a 265 g durante 10 minutos logró una concentración óptima de PLT, sin presencia de leucocitos. Respecto al VPM, fue significativamente mayor en la sangre basal que en las fracciones PRP y PPP. Las concentraciones de PDGF-BB y TGF-ß1 fueron estadísticamente mayores en la fracción PRP que en la fracción PPP. Posteriormente, se aplicó el protocolo estandarizado a 11 gatos positivos para FeLV y 16 gatos positivos para FIV. La concentración de PLT en gatos FeLV no alcanzó el mínimo requerido por la tecnología PRGF®-Endoret®, sin embargo, los valores se acercaron a los de gatos sanos. Por otro lado, el protocolo estandarizado no fue reproducible en gatos FIV.

In the present review, the authors, based on the multiple functions performed by the liver, analyze the multiple biochemical and hematological changes as an expression of altered liver function in the horse. The liver performs important metabolic functions related to the synthesis, degradation, and excretion of various substances. Modification of these functions can be evaluated and diagnosed by determining serum concentrations of several serum analytes, including enzymes and other endogenous substances. Hepatocellular enzymes, such as sorbitol dehydrogenase-SDH and glutamate dehydrogenase-GLDH, are released following hepatocellular necrosis. Hepatobiliary enzymes, such as γ-glutamyl transferase-GGT, increase in response to necrosis, cholestasis, and other alterations in bile conducts. Serum concentrations of mainly endogenous and exogenous substances that the liver should synthesize or eliminate, such as proteins (albumin and globulins), bile acids, urea, glucose, total and direct bilirubin, and coagulation factors, and fibrinogen should be included in the liver function test profile. The interpretation of laboratory tests of liver function will allow the diagnosis of functional loss of the organ. Some of the analytes considered provide information on the prognosis of liver disease. This review will provide an accurate and objective interpretation of the common biochemical and hematological tests in use in the diagnosis of equine hepatic disease patients, aiding still further the veterinary activity on the applied equine clinical cases.

In recent years, several studies have been conducted on Muse cells mainly due to their pluripotency, high tolerance to stress, self-renewal capacity, ability to repair DNA damage and not being tumoral. Additionally, since these stem cells can be isolated from different tissues in the adult organism, obtaining them is not considered an ethical problem, providing an advantage over embryonic stem cells. Regarding their therapeutic potential, few studies have reported clinical applications in the treatment of different diseases, such as aortic aneurysm and chondral injuries in the mouse or acute myocardial infarction in the swine, rabbit, sheep and in humans. This review aims to describe the characterization of Muse cells, show their biological characteristics, explain the differences between Muse cells and mesenchymal stem cells, and present their contribution to the treatment of some diseases.