Hyun-jung Han

Additive Effects of Intra-articular Injection of Growth Hormone and Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Model of Collagenase-induced Osteoarthritis

In a rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis, the additive effects of intra-articular recombinant human growth hormone (GH) administration to hyaluronic acid (HA) were evaluated. After intra-articular collagenase injection, mature New Zealand white rabbits (n=30) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control rabbits) received once weekly intra-articular saline injections for 4 weeks. Group 2 rabbits received 6 mg HA injections, and group 3 rabbits were injected with 6 mg HA and 3 mg recombinant human GH. These injections were initiated 4 weeks after collagenase injections. Lameness was observed for 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Macroscopic and histopathological knee joint findings were also evaluated at the end of 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Although all animals had lameness after collagenase injections, the duration and severity of lameness were significantly shorter and less severe in group 3 than group 1 and 2 (P<0.01). Macroscopic scores showed that femoral condyles of group 3 rabbits received significantly less cartilage damage than those of groups 1 and 2 rabbits (P<0.01). Histopathological score was also the lowest in group 3 (P<0.01). These results suggest that co-injection of intra-articular HA and recombinant human GH is more effective than HA injections alone in an osteoarthritis model.

Clinical effect of additional electroacupuncture on thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 80 paraplegic dogs.

The clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and acupuncture in combination with medication for the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation was investigated in paraplegic dogs with intact deep pain perception. To evaluate the additional effect of electroacupuncture, dogs treated with conventional medicines alone were compared to dogs treated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture and conventional medicine. Medical records of 80 dogs were reviewed for this investigation and classified into two groups undergoing different treatment methods: (1) treatment with conventional medicine alone (Group C, n = 37) and (2) treatment with conventional medicine combined with electroacupuncture and acupuncture (Group CE, n = 43). Prednisone was the conventional medicine and electroacupuncture was applied at GV07 and GV02-1 at 0.5-2.5 mV, mixed Hz of 2 and 15 Hz for 25-30 min. Acupuncture was performed locally at urinary bladder meridian points near the lesion, and bilaterally distantly at GB30, GB34, and ST36. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by post-operative neurologic function, ambulation, relapse, complication, and urinary function. Ambulation recovery was more prevalent in Group CE than Group C (p = 0.01) and recovery of ambulation and back pain relief time was shorter in Group CE compared to Group C (p = 0.011 and 0.001, respectively). Relapse rate was significantly lower in Group CE (p = 0.031). The results suggest that a combination of electroacupuncture and acupuncture with conventional medicine is more effective than conventional medicine alone in recovering ambulation, relieving back pain, and decreasing relapse. Electroacupuncture and acupuncture is thus a reasonable option for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation in paraplegic dogs with intact deep pain perception.

The safety and efficacy of a new self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stent for the tracheal collapse in dogs.

To evaluate the potential utility of a self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stent with flared ends for the treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs, endotracheal stenting therapy was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in four dogs with severe tracheal collapse. During the 4 to 7 month follow-up, after stent implantation, clinical signs, including dyspnea and respiratory distress, dramatically improved in all dogs. The radiographs showed that the implanted stents improved the tracheal collapse, and there were no side effects such as collapse, shortening or migration of the stents. In conclusion, the self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stents provided adequate stability to the trachea and were effective for attenuating the clinical signs associated with severe tracheal collapse.