Serum nerve growth factor in horses with osteoarthritis-associated lameness.
Authors: Kendall Anna, Lützelschwab Claudia, Lundblad Johan, Skiöldebrand Eva
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
# Editorial Summary Nerve growth factor (NGF), a signalling molecule implicated in pain perception and joint inflammation, accumulates within osteoarthritic joints in horses, yet its presence in the bloodstream—and clinical utility as a biomarker—remained poorly characterised in equine medicine. Kendall and colleagues measured serum NGF concentrations in horses presenting with osteoarthritis-associated lameness, comparing affected animals against controls and exploring whether systemic NGF elevation correlated with disease severity or pain response. The findings demonstrated significantly elevated serum NGF in lame horses with diagnosed osteoarthritis, suggesting the molecule enters systemic circulation during joint degeneration—a pattern already well-established in human osteoarthritis research. Given that serum NGF concentrations also respond to stress in other species, this biomarker warrants further investigation as a potential tool for monitoring disease progression, evaluating therapeutic interventions, and potentially distinguishing osteoarthritic pain from other causes of lameness in clinical practice.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Serum NGF may represent a biomarker worth measuring in lame horses suspected of osteoarthritis, potentially aiding diagnosis and monitoring
- •NGF's association with pain suggests it could be a therapeutic target, though further equine-specific research is needed before clinical application
- •Stress management in arthritic horses may be important if serum NGF elevation contributes to pain perception, as seen in human patients
Key Findings
- •Nerve growth factor (NGF) is increased in osteoarthritic joints of horses
- •NGF has been associated with pain in humans with osteoarthritis
- •Both synovial and serum NGF concentrations are elevated in osteoarthritic human patients
- •Serum NGF concentration can increase with stress in humans