Photo of samples in a laboratory.
RESEARCH PROJECT

Autologous biological treatments - content and effect on joint inflammation

Updated: March 2026

Project overview

Project start: January 2017
Project manager: Eva Skiöldebrand
Funded by: The Horse Reaseach Foundation

Participants

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Short summary

Blood derived autologous biological products such as autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are used to treat lameness in horses. The effect and content of these products are not fully known.

Background

Joint inflammation is a common cause of lameness in horses. Currently, there is no treatment that can repair the cartilage damage that occurs. Medical devices such as ACS and PRP are used as intra-articular treatments for joint inflammation in horses and humans, even though their contents are unknown and the disease-modifying mechanisms that would produce a clinically positive effect are also unknown.

More information about this projekt

Within this project, we will analyze the content of potentially anti-inflammatory and cartilage-regenerative components in the products. We will also use a well-characterized in vitro model developed by the research group to study the effect of the preparations on the inflammatory process in equine cartilage.

These medical devices are currently used without scientific evidence of their effectiveness. With this project, we want to investigate which components are present and what effect they have on cartilage regeneration in cases of inflammation.

The project is based on pilot projects funded by the Sveland Foundation and the Valborg Jacobson Fund (Swedish Animal Welfare Association).

Collaborations

The project is a collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Oslo. In addition to participants from SLU, Cathrine Fjordbakk (NMBU, Oslo) is also part of the research team.

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