1. Osteoarthritis and its possible treatments
Valeria Rivera University of Puerto Rico-Cayey, Cayey, PR 00736
Abstract
Arthritis affects millions of people per year. Around, 350 million people in the
world. It is a disease that everyone could suffer from. The risks are higher after the age of
40. Some risks include obesity, joint malformation, injuries, and inheritance.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in humans and in dogs. There is
no specific treatment whatsoever, but there are some possible treatments depending on
severity of the disease and personal reactions. This paper focuses on nutrients like
Glucosamine/ Chondroitin Sulfate, Col-3 Inhibition, NSAID, physical rehabilitation, and
surgery. Researchers, such as McCarty et al. 2006, obtained positive effects using Glu/CS
from day 70. PROM exercise is widely used as therapy for dogs as well as physical
rehabilitation. This involves the use of physical agents like hear water, cold, and
electricity (Johnston et al., 2008).
Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Canines; Treatments; Surgery
1. Introduction treatments that are still on trial since
Arthritis includes the different there is not a completely convincing
joint degradation and inflammation that determined treatment for OA. The most
occur in most joint disorders. The most commonly used and recommended
common type of arthritis is treatment is Nonsteroidal anti-
Osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-five per inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
cent (25%) to 30% of dogs suffer from
arthritis or hip dysplasia. It is described 2. Glucosamine hydrochloride and
by a low level of inflammation that Chondroitin Sulfate
increases to degenerate joints. Arthritis The first article to report the use
can be caused by injuries, obesity, of Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate
inheritance, and joint malformation. (Glu/CS) as a treatment for osteoarthritis
Patients of arthritis are all over the world in dogs used carprofen as a positive
and total approximately 350 million control (McCarty et al., 2006). Thirty-
people. Commonly, symptoms begin at five dogs (Canis familiaris) with
the age of 40. Blood and urine test are osteoarthritis were clinically examined
taken as examinations of arthritis along in the research. This research included a
with x-rays. Symptoms comprise pain, pre-treatment evaluation where samples
lameness and muscle atrophy, swelling were collected for baseline hematology
of joints, stiffness, and lost of mobility. (blood tests). The researchers orally
Other animals such as cats and induced the recommended dose of
horses suffer from osteoarthritis. Dogs Glu/CS in 16 dogs and the suggested
are excellent models for studying amount, as well, of carprofen in 19 dogs.
osteoarthritis and can even be cured Dogs weighing 5-19 kg (11-39lbs) were
during test treatments. Neither a specific given 1g of the Glu/CS twice daily. Dogs
cure nor treatments for Osteoarthritis weighting 20-40 kg (40-82lbs) were
(OA) currently exist. There are some given 1.5g twice daily. Dogs weighing

2. 40 kg (82lbs) or over were given 2g better results and an improvement in the
twice daily. For the positive control use of glucosamine hydrochloride and
carprofen, dogs were given 2mg/kg body chondroitin sulfate as indicated by
weight twice daily for 7 days. After that, McCarthy et al. Chondoprotectant is a
daily maintenance dose for dogs was term used to designate compounds that
2mg/kg body weight. These dogs were have a positive effect on the health and
re-evaluated by veterinarians who metabolism of chondrocytes and
recorded observations with a scoring synoviocytes. Some of the expected
system based on lameness, joint outcomes cover an enhancement in
mobility, pain on palpation, weight- metabolism of chondrocyte and
bearing, and an overall score of clinical synoviocyte that can potentially suppress
condition ranging from 1 to 5 from not inflammation. It inhibits degradative
affected to very severely affected. enzymes within the synovial fluid and
Evaluations were taken on days 14, 42, cartilage matrix and also inhibits the
70 and 98. Treatment ended on day 70. formation of clots in small blood vessels
Veterinarians and owners were in the joint area as cited by Beale in
unfamiliar with the treatments provided. McCarthy et al., 2006.
Convincing results of
improvements in pain, weight-bearing 3. COL-3 inhibition
and overall condition, were obtained Joint degradation is determined
from day 70 when using Glu/CS as a in matrix-degrading proteases by
treatment for dogs with osteoarthritis. articular tissues. In this case, matrix
Improvements of dogs using carprofen metalloproteinase (MMPs) and
were obtained at a faster rate - in day 42 cathepsins are used. MMPs are
unlike for dogs treated with Glu/CS. proteases that break peptide bonds inside
Nevertheless, the usage of Glu/CS over protein molecules into polymers.
time, (until day 98) produced better Researchers used (6 diethyl)-6-deoxy-4-
results than while using carprofen. dedimethylamino tetracycline COL-3 for
According to McCarthy et. al, the use of arthritis therapy because it minimizes
Glu/CS has been shown to protect production of MMPs and also inhibits
against chemically induced synovitis MMP activity, as Hanemaaijer et al., in
(inflammation of the synovial Muir P 2007 noted. The cranial cruciate
membrane, the lining of the joints) in ligament (CCL), an important ligament
dogs by stimulating cartilage metabolism in the knee, can rapture causing joint
and by inhibiting its degradation. A instability, pain, and lameness. To
similar consequence was obtained in explore a way of ameliorating joint
reducing symptoms of OA in humans. degradation, researchers tested the
Investigations demonstrated that effects of COL-3 on collagen
the use of Glu/CS in dogs with fragmentations of CCL. The CCL where
osteoarthritis has a satisfying clinical obtained from 33 client dogs during
effect. (McCarthy et al. 2006) With these surgical treatment. The dogs were from
results further research could be realized 5.3 to 2.6 years old and weighted about
observing the reaction of Glu/CS for a 10 to 36 kg (20 to 74 lbs.). Also, CCLs
period longer than 70 days. A more were retracted from 13 other dogs with
complex test, such as a force plate gait normal stifles. These were cultured in 12
analysis, should be created to determine well plates with 1nL of culture medium

3. (Serum-free Dulbecco’s modified are cyclooxygenase inhibiting anti-
Eagle’s medium with inflammatory drugs. Cyclooxygenase is
20mMHEPES).Three explant culture an enzyme that forms prostaglandins
(taking living material and placing it in a which causes inflammation. There are
substance to preserve it) experiments two isoforms of COX, COX-1 and
were realized. The first experiment was COX-2. Both are found in canine’s
duplicating the CCL, one for baseline kidneys. The recommended dose is 1 to
control and the other one for COL-3. In 2 mg/kg/day. DERAMAXX is only used
the second experiment, the two CCL for dogs not humans. Like the majority
explants were set up respectively. In the of the NSAIDS, DERMAXX can
third experiment, triplicate from each produce some side effects specially
ruptured CCL specimen were set. They when used with other NSAIDS.
consisted of a positive inhibitor, a base According to The National Institute of
line control, and a protease inhibitor Health (NIH), DERAMAXX may
cocktail. With their results, the produce gastrointestinal ulcerations and
investigators concluded that using . inhibit prostaglandins which maintain
0010M of COL-3 the degradation could normal homeostatic function.
be inhibited. Researchers conducted an investigation
using cloned canines cyclooxygenase
with a dose of 2 to 4 mg/kg/day but
4. NSAIDs DERAMAXX tablets did not inhibited
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory COX-1.Its clinical relevance has not
drugs (NSAID) are the most common been shown. In clinical trials of
treatment of osteoarthritis. They control DERAMAXX, healthy dogs were given
clinical signs of inflammation. daily doses, respective of body weight
Carprofen is one of the newest NSAIDs 30 minutes after a meal. The process was
accepted for use in dogs. A reasonable repeated for 60 days. No abnormal
improve in comfort is found using the findings were obtained, and physical
recommended dosage of carprofen. tests were normal as well as urinary test.
Some NSAIDs include Etodolac, The consumption of food and water
Aspirine, and Firocoxib which has been remained normal and weight too.
recently approved. Side effects include
vomiting and diarrhea. 5. Physical rehabilitation
Tepoxalin is a dual inhibitor of Physical rehabilitation involves
cyclooxygenase (COX) and the use of physical agents consisting of
lipoxygenase (LOX). As a result, the heat, cold, electricity, exercise, and
generation of leukotrienes (fatty water. Positive improvements in terms of
molecules of the immune system that blood flow are significant and reduce the
increase inflammation and asthma) are risk of muscle damage. Moist heat is
decreased, increasing recovery from used to increase blood flow in the
inflammation. The patient will as a region. This helps in preventing
consequence feel less pain as COX and degradation of ligaments.
LOX are inhibited. While using these pads the
DERAMAXX is used in the temperature needs to be around 104 F
veterinary market to control pain and and 109 F, and the dog’s skin needs to be
inflammation due to osteoarthritis. They constantly monitored to avoid burns.

4. Usually, heat therapy is combined with numbness and some particles could be
other types of physiotherapy such as released (Health central 2006).
massages and passive exercise. Osteoplasty is another surgical treatment
Passive range of motion exercise consisting of scarping deteriorating bone
(PROM), promotes sensory awareness from the joint. It is considered a surgical
and improved circulation. In addition to repair. (Springhouse 2005).
PROM, stretching exercises increase
tissue extensibility. Likewise, warm 7. Conclusion
baths, electric stimulation, and therapy A variety of new treatments are
with a physioball, are used to treat currently being studied. It is of great joy
osteoarthritis resulting in benefits for the to know that there are people who care
patients-canines. In contrast, about this disease affecting cats, dogs,
Cryotherapy (hypothermia) is applied horses and humans.
using ice packs and cold compression This paper has demonstrated
wraps to support vasoconstriction and some of the drugs used as treatments for
skeletal muscle relaxation. These reduce osteoarthritis. Glucosamine/ Chondroitin
blood flow and analgesia (inability to Sulfate have shown some positive
feel pain while conscious). (Johnston et effects based on the previous research
al.) Weight control and weight loss made. Likewise, the use of PROM will
decreases the severity of hind and limb benefit dogs in feeling less pain and
weakness. gaining back their joint mobility. Since
weight is an important factor in
6. Surgery preventing arthritis, dogs should be feed
The last method used for treating a regular balanced diet and include
and relieving osteoarthritis pain is exercise in their daily activities. There is
surgical procedures. There are different no doubt that this practice will benefit
surgeries, and the most commonly done humans promoting blood circulation and
is knee surgery. Arthroscopy is joint movement. By investigating and
performed as a method to clean the bone discovering new treatments, animals and
segment where inflammation is humans will surely benefit from those
occurring. It is a minor surgery. Another experiments. The dogs used as models
procedure is Arthroplasty in which MD while studying the effect of
replaces the joint (DailyMed 2009). Glucosamine/ Chondroitin Sulfate were
These are prosthetic joint implants. It is pets whose owners’ permitted testing.
commonly used when osteoarthritis is Researchers obtained convincing results.
sever making mobility almost impossible Deramaxx is another pain reliever
for the patient. Hip and knee especially for dogs, and it has also
replacement are the most common and shown some positive results. Adequan is
the most successful. Less common a drug that treats arthritis especially for
replacement of joints are those of the dogs too. Both are available in the
shoulders, elbows, fingers, and wrists. veterinary market. In most of these
Complications are not common, and investigations, researchers found
comprise 1 % of deaths within 3 months. different aspects that have to be realized
Complications include blood clots, for a better finding of a medication that
infection, and hip dislocation. Some will treat at best osteoarthritis. Positive
other complications may be uneven legs, results may be obtained following the

5. instructions of an MD regarding the McAllister H, Seed M, Mooney
recommended dosage. After all of the C. 2006.
findings, osteoarthritis remains a branch Randomised double-blind,
for further investigations to maximize positive-controlled trial to
efficacy. assess the efficacy of
glucosamine/chondrotin sulfate
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