Indicadores de dolor e inflamación en equinos: revisión de literatura en medicina deportiva

Doménica  Bollorino-Montoya; Nathalia  Santos-Bajaña; Gloria  Mieles-Soriano; Iván  González-Puetate

doi:10.59169/pentaciencias.v7i5.1657

Authors

Doménica Bollorino-Montoya Universidad de Guayaquil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6270-0592
Nathalia Santos-Bajaña Universidad de Guayaquil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5646-8707
Gloria Mieles-Soriano Universidad Agraria del Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3216-6596
Iván González-Puetate Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad de Guayaquil. Fauna, Conservation and Global Health Research Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM – Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9930-0617

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59169/pentaciencias.v7i5.1657

Keywords:

animal pain; biological markers; clinical assessment; regenerative medicine; sport horses

Abstract

The detection and management of musculoskeletal pain in sport horses constitutes a clinical challenge due to the horse's tendency to conceal pain. This review addresses the integration of clinical, ethological, and molecular approaches to optimize the diagnosis and welfare of the athletic horse. The main diagnostic indicators are presented, including validated behavioral scales such as the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) and EQUUS-FAP, which evaluate facial expressions and behavior. To complement the assessment, biomarkers are analyzed, such as the acute-phase protein Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and the biglycan neo-epitope BGN262, the latter being useful for detecting subclinical osteoarticular damage. In the therapeutic field, regenerative medicine strategies are reviewed, such as the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and their extracellular vesicles (EVs), which offer benefits in tissue regeneration and inflammation modulation. The use of antioxidants like astaxanthin and complementary physical techniques such as laser therapy and shock waves are also included. The integration of objective evaluation tools with personalized regenerative treatments is the recommended approach to optimize performance and prevent recurrences in sport horses. This article offers a useful scientific foundation for clinicians and researchers in equine sports medicine.

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