Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys

Abstract Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) has been explored for its regenerative potential, but its application in tendon healing remains unstudied. Autologous conditioned serum (ACS), commonly used in joint therapies, inhibits interleukin 1-mediated inflammation, though its role in tendon he...

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Main Authors: Mahmoud Najeb, Alaa Samy, Awad Rizk, Esam Mosbah, Gamal Karrouf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Irish Veterinary Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-025-00299-y
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author Mahmoud Najeb
Alaa Samy
Awad Rizk
Esam Mosbah
Gamal Karrouf
author_facet Mahmoud Najeb
Alaa Samy
Awad Rizk
Esam Mosbah
Gamal Karrouf
author_sort Mahmoud Najeb
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) has been explored for its regenerative potential, but its application in tendon healing remains unstudied. Autologous conditioned serum (ACS), commonly used in joint therapies, inhibits interleukin 1-mediated inflammation, though its role in tendon healing is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of I-PRF alone and in combination with ACS in tendon healing. Twenty-three donkeys with forelimb superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis were examined at admission (T0) and randomly assigned to PRF/ACS treated group (n = 10), PRF group (n = 7), or included as a control group (n = 6). Among clinical parameters, tendon shape and weight-bearing scores at T150 were significantly improved (P < 0.001) in the PRF/ACS group compared to the control group. Regardless of the tendon cross-sectional area (T-CSA), all other ultrasonographic parameters showed significant improvement in the PRF/ACS group compared to the control group. T-CSA increased throughout the study in PRF group but significantly decreased at T150 in control and PRF/ACS groups. The combination therapy had a significant improvement in fiber alignment score (FAS) and T-CSA compared to PRF group. Early lesion resolution in PRF/ACS at T90 and later in PRF at T150 suggests superior healing in PRF/ACS group. Persistent increase in T-CSA in the PRF group indicates ongoing healing, while its reduction in the PRF/ACS groups reflects more progressed healing stages and superior outcomes. Conversely, the presence of hyperechoic dots and misaligned tendon fibers in the control group suggests inferior healing outcomes. Intralesional I-PRF combined with ACS significantly enhanced clinical and ultrasonographic healing characteristics in donkeys with SDF tendonitis.
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spelling doaj-art-450aef05996d4c8aac2fb37808a4600b2025-08-20T02:30:41ZengBMCIrish Veterinary Journal2046-04812025-06-0178111410.1186/s13620-025-00299-yClinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeysMahmoud Najeb0Alaa Samy1Awad Rizk2Esam Mosbah3Gamal Karrouf4Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityAbstract Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) has been explored for its regenerative potential, but its application in tendon healing remains unstudied. Autologous conditioned serum (ACS), commonly used in joint therapies, inhibits interleukin 1-mediated inflammation, though its role in tendon healing is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of I-PRF alone and in combination with ACS in tendon healing. Twenty-three donkeys with forelimb superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendonitis were examined at admission (T0) and randomly assigned to PRF/ACS treated group (n = 10), PRF group (n = 7), or included as a control group (n = 6). Among clinical parameters, tendon shape and weight-bearing scores at T150 were significantly improved (P < 0.001) in the PRF/ACS group compared to the control group. Regardless of the tendon cross-sectional area (T-CSA), all other ultrasonographic parameters showed significant improvement in the PRF/ACS group compared to the control group. T-CSA increased throughout the study in PRF group but significantly decreased at T150 in control and PRF/ACS groups. The combination therapy had a significant improvement in fiber alignment score (FAS) and T-CSA compared to PRF group. Early lesion resolution in PRF/ACS at T90 and later in PRF at T150 suggests superior healing in PRF/ACS group. Persistent increase in T-CSA in the PRF group indicates ongoing healing, while its reduction in the PRF/ACS groups reflects more progressed healing stages and superior outcomes. Conversely, the presence of hyperechoic dots and misaligned tendon fibers in the control group suggests inferior healing outcomes. Intralesional I-PRF combined with ACS significantly enhanced clinical and ultrasonographic healing characteristics in donkeys with SDF tendonitis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-025-00299-yInjectable platelet-rich fibrinAutologous conditioned serumSuperficial digital flexor tendonInterleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein
spellingShingle Mahmoud Najeb
Alaa Samy
Awad Rizk
Esam Mosbah
Gamal Karrouf
Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
Irish Veterinary Journal
Injectable platelet-rich fibrin
Autologous conditioned serum
Superficial digital flexor tendon
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein
title Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
title_full Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
title_fullStr Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
title_full_unstemmed Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
title_short Clinical benefits of early-stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet-rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
title_sort clinical benefits of early stage autologous conditioned serum and injectable platelet rich fibrin on healing superficial digital flexor tendonitis in donkeys
topic Injectable platelet-rich fibrin
Autologous conditioned serum
Superficial digital flexor tendon
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-025-00299-y
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