The world of equine veterinary medicine is constantly pushing the envelope of innovation in order to keep our horses healthier longer and performing to the best of their abilities. Biologics-based therapies have been getting more attention, although their use has been documented as early as 1910 in using fetal membranes as skin grafts. More recently, they have been a source of stem cells and mediators in the field of regenerative medicine for a wide variety of use cases.
Hilltop Bio’s exosome-based therapies have been used in an array of situations from wound healing to orthobiologics, but if you’re new to the world of exosome-based, room-temperature regenerative therapies, there are a few things you should know.
- Exosomes: Exosomes originate within membrane-bound cell-signaling extracellular vesicles that are released by many different cells. Exosomes contain a wide range of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. These vesicles participate in intercellular communication and regulate various intracellular biological functions. The cell signaling molecules that they can carry between cells—cytokines, growth factors and other proteins, as well as messenger RNA (mRNA) and micro-RNA (miRNA)—can mediate many cellular functions and can have varied effects depending on the target tissue and other variables.
- Number of Treatments: Depending on the injury, usually only one treatment application is necessary. However, if there is a large external wound, like a burn, several treatments may be needed as it heals.
- Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-fibrotic, and Anti-adhesion Properties: Literature has shown that there isn’t just one factor at work when it comes to exosome-based therapies and wound healing but actually multiple factors. The components found in these products have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fibrotic, and anti-adhesion properties. With properties that decrease adhesion formation, this also leads to a decrease of fibrosis and scarring. To get more in-depth information on how our therapies affect wound healing, check out our previous blog post.
- Ease of Storage and Use: There are a variety of regenerative therapies on the market, but many of them require specialized cold storage and/or additional equipment to process them before use. Even for products that can be prepared “stallside,” it is still an extra step in the veterinarian’s already busy schedule. One of the benefits of Hilltop Bio’s exosome-based products is that they can be stored at room temperature which means easier access from the clinic to the vet truck. They are also available off-the-shelf so there is no additional processing step needed before application.
The science behind exosome-based therapies and regenerative medicine continues to rapidly advance and provide new ways to treat a variety of injuries and conditions in horses. Hilltop Bio is committed to being at the forefront of these technologies and bringing veterinarians therapies that help horses heal and get them back to their day-to-day jobs, whether it’s in the show ring or on the trail. If you’re ready to learn how you can add one of the most versatile tools to your veterinary toolbox, feel free to contact us.
