Extra-label bisphosphonate use has occurred in the juvenile horse despite a lack of scientific evidence, due to perceived anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clodronate disodium (CD) on biomarkers of cartilage metabolism and intra-articular inflammation within the articulating joint of the juvenile horse using an intra-articular inflammatory model. Thirty-two yearling Quarter Horses were treated with either saline, 1-dose, 2-doses or 4-doses of CD for a 140-d study. Carpal circumference and synovial fluid were collected prior to and after initiation of the inflammatory model. Synovial fluid samples were analyzed for biomarkers of cartilage synthesis and degradation as well as intra-articular inflammation. There was no difference between treatments concerning the cartilage degradation biomarker used in this study, and CD only tended to increase cartilage synthesis and carpal circumference after two doses. Treatment by CD did not decrease inflammation, but rather increased inflammation following initiation of the inflammatory challenge. At no point during the sampled timepoints did CD decrease inflammation compared to the control. This initial investigation into the effects of CD on the juvenile articulating joint, laying the groundwork for further investigations into the effects of CD administration in the juvenile synovial joint.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.