New Stem Cell Technology Offers Promise to Lame and Injured Horses

In the not-so-distant future, researchers believe they will be able to genetically modify stem cells to create a “vaccine,” so to speak, to treat a large number of musculoskeletal and other disorders in both humans and horses. An Italian research group has made recent strides in further understanding the potential of using stem cells derived from fat (adipose) tissue in this capacity.

Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

In the not-so-distant future, researchers believe they will be able to genetically modify stem cells to create a “vaccine,” so to speak, to treat a large number of musculoskeletal and other disorders in both humans and horses. An Italian research group has made recent strides in further understanding the potential of using stem cells derived from fat (adipose) tissue in this capacity.

Stem cells are the body’s “master cells,” which can, upon stimulation, turn into any one of the more than 200 different cell types found in the body. Stem cell therapy is becoming a more common treatment method for equine joint injuries and joint disease. For example, stem cells can be isolated from equine bone marrow adipose tissue, expanded in cell culture dishes, and then injected back into the horse to help tissue healing.

Previous studies in horses have found beneficial effects of stem cell therapy on tendon healing and joint disease. Researchers have also studied embryonic stem cells.

In addition, earlier this year, Colorado State researcher Laurie Goodrich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, an assistant professor in equine lameness and surgery, reported the genetic modification of bone marrow-derived stem cells to help bone healing

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she’s worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

Where do you primarily feed your horse?
313 votes · 313 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!