For vets, such certainty would be a significant improvement over watching a horse trot in an attempt to discern a problem, or even over advanced imaging techniques. A team of British and Swedish researchers say their research indicates that the presence of a specific protein in joint fluid may provide just such an early marker for joint disease. The study set out to determine if the protein could be used as an early indicator for tendinitis. The protein, called COMP for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, is restricted to cartilage, tendon and invertebral discs. According to the researchers, studies 1 in humans have shown that COMP is present in elevated levels in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and in the early stages of osteoarthritis.
COMP is also normally present in relatively large amounts in tendon.
Because of this and the increased levels of COMP in joint disease, the researchers hypothesized that COMP levels in blood and joint fluids would be elevated in tendon disease as well. That did not turn out to be the case - COMP levels in the blood change little where tendinitis is developing, the researchers found. But don't call the vet out to test your horse yet. He or she will tell you further study is necessary to determine if COMP levels are significantly elevated in cases of equine joint disease. Smith, RKW et al.