Giuseppe Spinella

Controlled, blinded force platform analysis of the effect of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells associated to PRGF-Endoret in osteoarthritic dogs

BackgroundAdipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) therapy in regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing area of research and is currently also being used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Force platform analysis has been consistently used to verify the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies for the treatment of OA in dogs, but never with AD-MSC.The aim of this study was to use a force platform to measure the efficacy of intraarticular ADMSC administration for limb function improvement in dogs with severe OA.ResultsEight lame dogs with severe hip OA and a control group of 5 sound dogs were used for this study. Results were statistically analyzed to detect a significant increase in peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in treated dogs. Mean values of PVF and VI were significantly improved after treatment of the OA groups, reaching 53.02% and 14.84% of body weight, respectively, at day 180, compared with only 43.56% and 12.16% at day 0.ConclusionThis study objectively demonstrated that intraarticular ADMSC therapy resulted in reduced lameness due to OA.

Clinical findings, rhinoscopy and histological evaluation of 54 dogs with chronic nasal disease

Nasal diseases are very common in dogs and rhinoscopy is often required for a definitive diagnosis. Rhinoscopy, while superficial in nature, can guide the clinician to the final diagnosis. In this study, rhinoscopy was performed on 54 dogs with symptoms of chronic nasopharyngeal disease. The endoscopic diagnosis of neoplasia or chronic nasal inflammation was validated with histological examination of pathological samples, in order to evaluate the degree of concordance between endoscopic findings and histological diagnosis. The agreement between endoscopy and histology was tested by application of Cohens kappa coefficient. We conclude that correlation between endoscopic results and histological diagnosis, expressed by a Cohens kappa coefficient of 0.73, is only possible with a constant cooperation between the clinician and the pathologist.

Application of the 'extraction bag' in laparoscopic treatment of unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism in dogs.

Laparoscopy is a mini-invasive surgical technique, particularly indicated in the treatment of unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism in dogs (Bianco et al., 1997; Petrizzi et al., 1998; Pena et al., 1998; Gallagher et al., 1992). Following testicular removal via laparoscopy, we found it advantageous to use an ‘extraction bag’, a technique that had been previously described by Gallagher (Gallagher et al., 1992). By placing the isolated testicle inside this device, asepsis of the operating field is maintained without limiting intra-abdominal surgical manoeuvres. In the case of bilateral cryptorchidism, as the first testicle is isolated and introduced into the extraction bag, it is possible to continue with the contralateral testicle with final extraction of the two testicles through the same surgical incision.

Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct in ten horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY No endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct has been described before. In contrast with other imaging techniques, endoscopy provides a direct inspection of the intralumen and ductal mucosa in standing sedation. OBJECTIVES To provide a reference against which the endoscopic and clinical features of obstructive nasolacrimal disease in the horse may be compared. METHODS Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct was performed in 10 French Thoroughbred bay mares with a 3 mm shaft diameter flexible fibrescope. The duct was divided into 3 zones (1, 2 and 3) from the nostril to the lacrimal sac. RESULTS Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct appeared to be quite easy to perform in Zones 1 and 2, while the ease or difficulty of examining Zone 3 depended on the weight and size of the horse for the position of the endoscope in the lacrimal canal. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic inspection has provided the possibility of a novel diagnostic approach to conditions of the nasolacrimal duct in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Endoscopic examination of the nasolacrimal duct could help to diagnose and treat nasolacrimal diseases by performing sample withdrawal and duct irrigation.

Cross-sectional area and mean echogenicity of shoulder and elbow tendons in adult German Shepherd dogs

The aim of this study was to describe the cross-sectional area and mean echogenicity of the main tendons of the shoulder and elbow joints in adult German Shepherd dogs and to determine the effects of sex, weight, and age on these parameters. No previous publications in the veterinary literature have reported information regarding quantitative ultrasonographic tendon measurements in dogs. Thirty German Shepherd dogs were examined: 13 males and 17 females. The cross-sectional area was significantly higher in males than in females (p <0.05) for the distal tendon of the triceps brachii muscle and the tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris and common digital extensor muscles. The influence of sex on mean echogenicity was not significant. According to age, mean echogenicity was higher in older dogs, while the cross-sectional areas were similar in the two groups. Cross-sectional area and mean echogenicity of the tendons showed a direct increase with an increase in body weight. The data gained from this study can help support the clinician to discriminate between normal and pathological conditions.

Cross-sectional area of the tendons of the tarsal region in Standardbred trotter horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The assessment of a normal range for cross-sectional area (CSA) of tendons in the tarsal region is important in order to use them as reference values in the identification of pathological changes of dimensions. OBJECTIVES To provide normal reference values for the CSA of the tendons of the tarsus of Standardbred trotter horses (STH) by means of ultrasonography. METHODS Transverse echographic images of the tendons were obtained at different levels proximodistally; these images were digitised and CSA values (mean ± s.d.) were obtained for each structure. RESULTS The largest structure corresponded with the lateral digital flexor/caudal tibial tendon complex at Level 1 and the smallest was the medial digital flexor tendon at Level 4. Almost all tendons showed a slight decreasing in their CSA when crossing the tarsus. CONCLUSIONS The normal CSA values of tendinous structures in the tarsal region of the STH are reported. These data could be used as anatomical references. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE The establishment of reference values could serve as a tool to discriminate between normal and abnormal dimensions of tarsal tendons in STH. Other horse breeds should need their own reference values.

Systematic Ultrasonographic Investigation of the Equine Tarsus

The horse tarsus is a particularly complex region and its echographic evaluation can involve several diagnostic doubts. The necessity to define a procedural protocol, similar to those accepted for the metacarpal and metatarsal regions (Genovese et al., 1986), has already been recognized (Denoix and Crevier, 1991; Dik, 1993) but it has not yet led to the creation of standard protocols. The authors propose subdivision of the tarsal region to facilitate correct and systematic investigation of some specific structures in this region.

Evaluation of mean echogenicity of tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals: A preliminary study.

The aims of this research were to evaluate mean echogenicity (ME) of the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons (DDFT and SDFT), the interosseous muscle (IM), and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of the metacarpal region in neonatal foals, and determine the effect of sex, side and body weight on this quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation. Thirteen orthopedically sound neonatal foals were examined. Four areas of study (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) were identified. Transverse scans of the DDFT, SDFT, IM and ALDDFT were obtained, recorded, and analyzed. The most echogenic structures were the ALDDFT and DDFT, while the SDFT was significantly less echogenic than all other structures (P<0.05). No influence of sex, forelimb, or body weight was observed. The echogenicity of the tenodesmic structures of foals partially overlapped that reported in the metacarpal region in adult horses, except for IM.

Relative Echogenicity of Tendons and Ligaments of the Palmar Metacarpal Region in Foals from Birth to 4 Months of Age: A Longitudinal Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate relative echogenicity of superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and interosseous muscle of the metacarpal region in foals ages 1 week to 4 months; and assess the association between echogenicity and sex or side/laterality. Seven Standardbred trotter foals were examined. Right and left metacarpal regions (palmar surface) were ultrasonographically investigated, and four regions of interest were assessed. A significant increase in echogenicity was seen in superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, accessory ligament of deep digital flexor tendon, and interosseous muscle during growth from 1 week to 4 months of age. Echogenicity of examined tendons and ligaments was not influenced by gender nor laterality. Reference values for tendon and ligament echogenicity could function as a tool to discriminate between physiological and abnormal conditions such as congenital contractural conditions.

Serum Collagen Type II Cleavage Epitope and Serum Hyaluronic Acid as Biomarkers for Treatment Monitoring of Dogs with Hip Osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of serum type II collagen cleavage epitope and serum hyaluronic acid as biomarkers for treatment monitoring in osteoarthritic dogs. For this purpose, a treatment model based on mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue combined with plasma rich in growth factors was used. This clinical study included 10 dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Both analytes were measured in serum at baseline, just before applying the treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. These results were compared with those obtained from force plate analysis using the same animals during the same study period. Levels of type II collagen cleavage epitope decreased and those of hyaluronic acid increased with clinical improvement objectively verified via force plate analysis, suggesting these two biomarkers could be effective as indicators of clinical development of joint disease in dogs.