Inflammatory mediators in equine synovial fluid

Enzyme immunoassay for prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and radioimmunoassays for prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2) alpha), 6-keto-PGF(1) alpha, and leukotriene B-4 (LTB(4)) were performed on synovial fluid from normal middle carpal joints of 10 horses, and from 30 middle carpal or antebrachiocarpal joints of horses affected by degenerative joint disease and chip fractures to compare the concentrations of inflammatory mediators. Significantly greater concentrations of PGE(2) were detected in fluid from affected than from control joints, but there were no significant differences in the mean concentrations of PGF(2) alpha, 6-keto-PGF(1) alpha, and LTB(4).