Regenerative Medicine Applied to Musculoskeletal Diseases in Equines: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary Musculoskeletal injuries have significant importance within the field of equine health, mainly due to their economic and sporting implications in today's world. The tissues most affected by such injuries in horses include tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, all of which have a restricted ability to self-heal. This is where regenerative therapies arise, which involve the use of living cells and non-cell therapies to treat various diseases, injuries, and medical conditions and to restore the affected tissue to its native state, both structurally and functionally. Platelet-rich plasma and autologous conditioned serum are widely used in regenerative medicine. In the last few years, mesenchymal stem cells, a type of adult stem cell found in various tissues throughout the body, including bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissue, and the umbilical cord, have attracted attention for their therapeutic potential. These mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various types of tissues, making them versatile agents for tissue regeneration. In addition, they have anti-inflammatory properties, crucial for mitigating the harmful effects of inflammation often associated with injuries, and immunomodulatory capabilities, which can help regulate the immune system response. Cell therapy therefore harnesses the power of MSCs to combat the challenges posed by musculoskeletal injuries in horses, offering hope for faster recovery and a return to peak performance.Abstract Musculoskeletal injuries in horses have a great economic impact, predominantly affecting tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, which have limited natural regeneration. Cell therapy, which uses mesenchymal stem cells due to their tissue differentiation properties and anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects, aims to restore damaged tissue. In this manuscript, we performed a systematic review using the Parsifal tool, searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles on regenerative medicine for equine musculoskeletal injuries. Our review covers 17 experimental clinical studies categorized by the therapeutic approach used: platelet-rich plasma, conditioned autologous serum, mesenchymal stem cells, and secretome. These therapies reduce healing time, promote regeneration of fibrocartilaginous tissue, improve cellular organization, and improve joint functionality and sustainability. In conclusion, regenerative therapies using platelet-rich plasma, conditioned autologous serum, equine mesenchymal stem cells, and the emerging field of the secretome represent a promising and highly effective approach for the treatment of joint pathologies in horses, implying a valuable advance in equine healthcare.