Stem Cells May Aid Cartilage Repair in Horses

Cartilage, the tough but flexible material that covers the ends of bones and joint surfaces, can become thin and worn through the repeated impact of exercise. Injuries can cause tears in the cartilage, and all of these changes can manifest as pain and lameness in horses. Though damaged cartilage doesn’t regenerate on its own, there are techniques that can stimulate regrowth and repair.

In a study at Colorado State University, researchers used the proven technique of punching small holes in the bone underlying cartilage to trigger the growth of new cartilage. They then treated each injured bone surface with either hyaluron or a combination of hyaluron and bone-marrow-derived stem cells. Use of stem cells led to the development of firmer cartilage tissue with a higher level of aggrecan, a molecule that gives cartilage its compressive stiffness.