THE EFFECT OF ENDOTOXIN AND ANTIENDOTOXIN SERUM ON SYNOVIAL-FLUID PARAMETERS IN THE HORSE

The effects of a commercially available equine hyperimmune anti-endoto xin serum on synovial fluid parameters were evaluated in an induced sy novitis model in normal horses. Four groups of 3 horses each received lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus hyperimmune antiendotoxin (anti-LPS), LP S, anti-LPS, and Ringers lactate (control) respectively injected into the left intercarpal joint. Synovial fluid parameters were measured at 4, 8, 24 and 72 h. It was found that anti-LPS had no attenuating effe ct on the LPS and that it induced a synovitis almost equivalent to tha t induced by LPS alone. The introduction of sterile Ringers lactate so lution into the carpal joint together with repeated aseptic arthrocent esis induces a mild inflammatory response.