Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nerve growth factor levels in joint fluid of healthy and arthritic
By Isola, M et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2011·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Nerve growth factor concentrations in the synovial fluid from healthy dogs and dogs with secondary osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with chronic limping due to osteoarthritis (OA) had higher levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in their joint fluid compared to healthy dogs and those with recent limping. This suggests that NGF might play a role in the inflammation and pain associated with long-term joint issues. The study found that while healthy dogs had low NGF levels, those with chronic lameness had significantly elevated levels, indicating a potential link between NGF and ongoing pain. Understanding these levels could help veterinarians better manage pain in dogs with chronic joint problems.
People also search for: dog limping treatment · osteoarthritis in dogs · nerve growth factor in dog joints
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To measure the concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the synovial fluid from normal dogs and dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to common joint disorders. METHODS: Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were measured by ELISA assay in 50 dogs divided into three groups: 12 healthy, 16 affected by acute lameness within seven days before enrolment, and 22 with chronic lameness persisting by more than one month before enrolment and accompanied by radiological signs of OA. Both acute and chronic lameness were secondary to orthopaedic diseases involving the shoulder, elbow and stifle joints. Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were compared between means for healthy and acute groups and between the three groups using an F-test. Significance level was set at p <0.05. RESULTS: Nerve growth factor was detected in all canine synovial fluid samples. However, the mean synovial NGF concentration of healthy dogs (3.65 ± 2.18 pg/ml) was not significantly different from the mean value in dogs with acute lameness (6.45 ± 2.45 pg/ml) (p = 0.79). Conversely, the mean synovial NGF concentration in dogs with chronic lameness (20.19 ± 17.51 pg/ml) was found to be significantly higher than that found in healthy dogs (p <0.01). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of NGF in canine synovial fluid and its increased concentrations in dogs with chronic lameness compared to healthy dogs and dogs with acute lameness. The association between chronic lameness and raised synovial concentrations may suggest an involvement of NGF in OA inflammation and chronic pain.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21674121/