Dose-Finding Study for Intraarticular Treatment With Stanozolol in Horses

A Pilot Study of the Clinical Effectiveness of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of Stanozolol in Canines with Knee Degenerative Joint Disease and Its Correlation with Serum Interleukin-1β Levels

Stanozolol shows promise as an anabolic and anti-catabolic agent for treating degenerative joint disease (DJD). This study assessed the clinical efficacy of a single intra-articular stanozolol injection in canine knees with DJD and its correlation with serum IL-1β levels. Thirty dogs (n = 30) were divided into a control group (CG, n = 10) and a study group (SG, n = 20) with DJD. Pain levels were assessed using the Brown query, and radiographs were taken at T0 and T3. IL-1β levels were quantified via ELISA. Apart from 2 patients, all showed reduced pain intensity, with 15 patients showing improvement at T1 and 3 patients at T2. A positive correlation (r = 0.84; p < 0.01) was found between pain level and IL-1β in 15 patients. No systemic effects were observed. Most patients (18/20) experienced reduced pain. This pilot study suggests stanozolol's potential in managing DJD in dogs. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and understand stanozolol's mechanism in DJD treatment.

Effect of a single intra-articular administration of stanozolol in a naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis model: a randomised trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease with a high negative impact on patient's quality of life and a high financial burden. It is a source of chronic pain and affects all mammals, including humans and dogs. As the dog is a common model for translation research of human OA, and exploring spontaneous dog OA can improve the health and well-being of both humans and dogs. To describe the effect of the intra-articular administration of stanozolol in a naturally occurring canine OA model, forty canine (N = 40) hip joints were randomly assigned to receive stanozolol or saline (control). On treatment day and at 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment, several evaluations were conducted: weight distribution, joint range of motion, thigh girth, digital thermography, and radiographic signs. Also, synovial fluid C-reactive protein and interleukin-1 levels were evaluated. Results from four Clinical Metrology Instruments was also gathered. Results were compared with Repeated Measures ANOVA, with a Huynh-Feldt correction, paired-samples t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with p < 0.05. OA was graded as mild (90%), moderate (5%), and severe (5%), including both sexes. They had a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. No differences were found between groups at treatment day in all considered evaluations. Weight distribution showed significant improvements with stanozolol from 15 days (p < 0.05) up to 180 days (p < 0.01). Lower values during thermographic evaluation in both views taken and improved joint extension at 90 (p = 0.02) and 180 days (p < 0.01) were observed. Pain and function scores improved up to 180 days. In the control group, radiographic signs progressed, in contrast with stanozolol. The use of stanozolol was safe and produced significant improvements in weight-bearing, pain score, and clinical evaluations in a naturally occurring canine OA model.

Intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide, stanozolol, Hylan G-F 20 and platelet concentrate in a naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis model

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease transversal to all mammals, a source of chronic pain and disability, a huge burden to societies, with a significant toll in healthcare cost, while reducing productivity and quality of life. The dog is considered a useful model for the translational study of the disease, closely matching human OA, with the advantage of a faster disease progression while maintaining the same life stages. In a prospective, longitudinal, double-blinded, negative controlled study, one hundred (N = 100) hip joints were selected and randomly assigned to five groups: control group (CG, n = 20, receiving a saline injection), triamcinolone hexacetonide group (THG, n = 20), platelet concentrate group (PCG, n = 20), stanozolol group (SG, n = 20) and hylan G-F 20 group (HG). Evaluations were conducted on days 0 (T0, treatment day), 8, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days post-treatment, consisting of weight distribution analysis and data from four Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMI). Kaplan-Meier estimators were generated and compared with the Breslow test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of variables of interest on treatment survival. All results were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 20 and a significance level of p < 0.05 was set. Sample included joints of 100 pelvic limbs (of patients with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and body weight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. Joints were graded as mild (n = 70), moderate (n = 20) and severe (n = 10) OA. No differences were found between groups at T0. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that all treatments produced longer periods with better results in the various evaluations compared to CG. Patients in HG and PCG took longer to return to baseline values and scores. A higher impact on pain interference was observed in THG, with a 95% improvement over CG. PCG and HG experienced 57-81% improvements in functional evaluation and impairments due to OA, and may be a better options for these cases. This study documented the efficacy of several approaches to relieve OA clinical signs. These approaches varied in intensity and duration. HG and PCG where the groups were more significant improvements were observed throughout the follow-up periods, with lower variation in results.

Intra-articular Injections With Either Triamcinolone Hexacetonide, Stanozolol, Hylan G-F 20, or a Platelet Concentrate Improve Clinical Signs in Police Working Dogs With Bilateral Hip Osteoarthritis

Objectives: To compare the effect of intra-articular treatment with triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH), stanozolol, hyaluronan, and a platelet concentrate in police working dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA). Study Design: Prospective, longitudinal, double-blinded, negative controlled study. Sample Population: Fifty police working dogs with naturally occurring hip OA. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, n = 10), TH group (THG, n = 10), platelet concentrate group (PCG, n = 10), stanozolol group (SG, n = 10), and Hylan G-F 20 group (HG). On days 0 (T0), 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment, weight-bearing distribution was evaluated. In those days, and on days 60, 120, and 150, four clinical metrology instruments were completed. Kaplan-Meier estimators were conducted and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to determine treatment survival. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients had a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and body weight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. At T0, hips were classified as mild (n = 35), moderate (n = 10), and severe (n = 5), according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals grading scheme. No differences were found between groups at that moment considering age, body weight, OFA hip score, and all assessments performed. All treatments improved clinical signs in various OA dimensions in some groups, with a broad effect interval. PCG showed a lower range of variation while maintaining a positive result for more extended periods (p < 0.01 for symmetry index and 0.01 < p < 0.04 in the majority of scores). Breed, age, sex, and OFA grade did not significantly influence response to treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: This is the first prospective, negative controlled, double-blinded study to compare the effect of a single administration of these IA treatments in dogs with hip OA. HG and PCG recorded more significant improvements throughout the 180-day follow-up. In particular, PCG also registered a lower variation in results, seemingly the best therapeutic option. Nevertheless, improvements were still observed in THG and SG, and these treatment options can be considered, mainly when the first two treatments are not available.

Effects of stanozolol on normal and IL-1β-stimulated equine chondrocytes in vitro

Background

Intra-articular administration of stanozolol has shown promising results by improving the clinical management of lameness associated with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis (OA) in horses, and by decreasing osteophyte formation and subchondral bone reaction in sheep following surgically induced OA. However, there is limited evidence on the anti-inflammatory and modulatory properties of stanozolol on articular tissues. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of stanozolol on chondrocyte viability and gene expression in normal equine chondrocytes and an inflammatory in vitro system of OA (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) treated chondrocytes).

Results

Chondrocytes from normal metacarpophalangeal joints of skeletally mature horses were exposed to four treatment groups: (1) media only (2) media+IL-1β (3) media+IL-1β + stanozolol (4) media+stanozolol. Following exposure, chondrocyte viability and the expression of catabolic, anabolic and structural genes were determined. General linear models with Dunnet’s comparisons with Bonferroni’s adjustment were performed. Cell viability was similar in all groups. Stanozolol treatment reduced gene expression of MMP-13, MMP-1, IL-6 and COX-2 in both normal and IL-1β treated chondrocytes. Stanozolol treatment reduced ADAMTS4 gene expression in normal chondrocytes. Stanozolol reduced the expression of COL2A1.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrates stanozolol has chondroprotective effects through downregulation of genes for pro-inflammatory/catabolic cytokines and enzymes associated with OA. However, there is no evidence of increased cartilage stimulation through upregulation of the anabolic and structural genes tested.