Review of the Currently Available Systems to Obtain Platelet Related Products to Treat Equine Musculoskeletal Injuries

Lameness secondary to chronic or acute injuries of the musculoskeletal system is a cause of equine wastage. This old problem has been traditionally managed with treatments, such as corticosteroids and non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. However, recent discoveries in the pathophysiology of these diseases have provided new therapeutic approaches to their treatments. The stimulation of cellular proliferation with increase in the anabolic capacity of the resident cells for producing a good quality extracellular matrix represents a real avenue for the treatment of these diseases in horses. The injection of platelet related products has won great acceptation between equine practitioners, since these substances can be obtained from the same patient by using different procedures or devices in field conditions. These substances are source of anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and anabolic proteins (i.e., growth factors and cytokines) and cells with immunomodulatory activity (i.e., lymphocytes and macrophages). However, the cellular and molecular content of these substances depend on the method or kit used for their preparation. A review about patented and non patented technologies and procedures for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases in horses by using platelet related products is presented in this article.