One of the great mysteries surrounding the field of stem cell therapy is how the cells are distributed after being injected. Do they disperse evenly? Do they travel to the area where they’re needed? And how long do they stick around?

Using scintigraphy (a technique also used for bone scan), University of California (UC), Davis, researchers are studying different mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration techniques to determine which one results in the best distribution in the horse’s foot. And, thus far, intra-arterial injection is leading the pack. Mathieu Spriet, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVR, ECVDI, associate professor of clinical diagnostic imaging at UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine, presented his team’s results at the 2013 International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held Nov. 1-3 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Although not studying stem cell distribution in regards to laminitis specifically, Spriet acknowledged that the team’s findings might benefit those using mesenchymal stem cells (capable of differentiating into various cell types) to treat this devastating hoof disease. Currently, he said, veterinarians use intravenous (IV) regional limb perfusion or coronary band injection when administering MSC to treat laminitis. However, Spriet said these methods might result in suboptimal distribution to the pastern and foot