News Notes

Results of Regenerative Medicine Devices Not Affected by NSAID Administration

Two recent studies demonstrated that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do not affect the concentrations of products generated by the regenerative medicine devices Pro-Stride APS and Restigen PRP, used to manage equine osteoarthritis (OA), tendonitis and ligament injuries.

The studies were done by researchers at the New Bolton Center, which is part of the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. They examined the concentrations of platelets, leukocytes, cytokines and growth factors in the end output solution of Pro-Stride and Restigen devices, both made by Zoetis, after giving a single dose of ketoprofen, flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone or firocoxib (short term) and, after 6 days of phenylbutazone or firocoxib (long term) at routine dosages and intervals.

In the first study, the researchers tested the blood of 6 horses before and 6 hours after receiving IV NSAIDS for autologous protein solution (APS) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). They then went through a 2-week washout period, and the experiment was repeated.

For the second phase, the horses received oral phenylbutazone or firocoxib. Plasma was collected 6 hours after administration for evaluation of drug concentrations, and APS and PRP were analyzed for concentrations of drug, platelets, leukocytes and several growth factors and cytokines.

The long-term study also involved 6 horses and had a similar study design, except the horses received the medications for 6 days.

Results indicated that use of NSAIDs, both in the short and long term, do not affect the concentrations of cytokines or growth factors generated by the devices when blood is obtained for processing 6 hours after a single dose of these NSAIDs and 24 hours after the last dose of phenylbutazone and firocoxib.

“We are often asked by practitioners whether they should advise their clients to eliminate use of commonly used NSAIDs prior to collection of Pro-Stride and Restigen to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness, and we wanted to provide a science-backed and clinically relevant answer,” said Nathan Voris, DVM, the director of Equine Technical Services at Zoetis. “This research provides clarity and shows that there is no major impact to growth factor or cytokine concentrations of the Restigen or Pro-Stride devices following the use of these NSAIDs.” MeV

For more information:
Brown KA, Gregorio E, Barot D, et al. Single-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in horses have no impact on concentrations of cytokines or growth factors in autologous protein solution and platelet-rich plasma. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(4):ajvr.23.11.0258
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38346393/
Brown KA, Gregorio E, Barot D, et al. Prolonged administration of oral phenylbutazone and firocoxib in horses has no impact on selected cytokine and growth factor concentrations in platelet-rich plasma and autologous protein solution. Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(9):ajvr.24.04.0098
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38889765/