Intrathecal enalapril reduces adhesion formation in experimentally induced digital flexor tendon sheath injuries in horses.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the study were to describe a standing percutaneous adhesion induction model in the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) of horses and to evaluate the effect of intrathecal administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril on tendon healing and adhesion formation.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized, blinded, controlled experimental study.

ANIMALS

Eight healthy horses.

METHODS

A collagenase-induced adhesion model was implemented in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of both forelimbs under standing ultrasonographic guidance. Daily intrathecal injections of 5 mg enalapril (the treatment condition) were administered to a randomly assigned forelimb for 5 days, with the contralateral limb receiving an equivalent volume of 0.9% NaCl (the control). Lameness and limb circumference were recorded weekly. Horses were euthanized after 8 weeks and evaluated for gross digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) adhesions. Tendons were collected for histopathologic scoring of DDFT healing. Paired data were analyzed using a one-sided alternative sign test and longitudinal regression.

RESULTS

Multiple DFTS adhesions were formed in control limbs of all horses. The median number of gross DFTS adhesions in treated limbs was less than in control limbs (p = .0039). The average reduction in limb circumference and lameness scores over time occurred faster in treated versus control limbs (p < .025). There were no differences in DDFT histopathologic scores between groups.

CONCLUSION

The standing percutaneous DFTS adhesion induction model demonstrated that intrathecal enalapril reduced DFTS adhesion formation, lameness scores, and limb circumference over time.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Intrathecal enalapril administration may reduce morbidity in horses with naturally occurring tendon injuries.