Cytotoxicity of local anaesthetics and protective effects of platelet rich plasma on equine tenocytes: An in vitro study.
Authors: Tognoloni Alessia, Pellegrini Martina, Di Salvo Alessandra, Sforna Monica, Cagiola Monica, Seccaroni Matteo, Nannarone Sara, Beccati Francesca, Pressanto Maria Chiara, Di Meo Antonio, Chiaradia Elisabetta
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Local Anaesthetics and Equine Tendon Safety Local anaesthetics (lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine) are commonly used in equine practice for diagnostic nerve blocks, intrasynovial injections, and pain management around tendon structures, yet their direct effects on equine tenocytes had not previously been characterised. Tognoloni and colleagues exposed cultured equine tenocytes to these three anaesthetic agents at clinically relevant concentrations, measuring cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis both with and without platelet-rich plasma supplementation. All three local anaesthetics demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects on tenocyte viability, whilst simultaneously triggering both apoptotic and necrotic cell death pathways; critically, platelet-rich plasma successfully ameliorated these harmful effects when present in the culture medium. These findings carry important implications for practitioners performing intrathecal or perineural blocks near tendon structures—particularly relevant in diagnostic lameness examinations or therapeutic injections—as unprotected local anaesthetic exposure may compromise tenocyte function or interfere with concurrent regenerative therapies. Consideration should be given to incorporating platelet-rich plasma alongside local anaesthetic administration when proximity to tendon tissue is unavoidable, potentially improving safety margins and preserving the efficacy of combined treatment protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Intrathecal and intraneural local anaesthetic injections may compromise tenocyte viability and potentially reduce efficacy of associated therapies in horses with tendon conditions.
- •Consider using platelet rich plasma adjunctively with local anaesthetic injections to mitigate cytotoxic effects on tendon tissue.
- •Exercise caution when using local anaesthetics for lameness examinations or pain management in horses with tendon involvement, particularly with higher concentrations.
Key Findings
- •Lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine significantly reduced equine tenocyte viability in dose- and time-dependent manners.
- •Platelet rich plasma (PRP) counteracted the cytotoxic effects of local anaesthetics on tenocytes.
- •Local anaesthetics induced both apoptosis and necrosis in equine tenocytes, which were reduced when PRP was present in the medium.