Evaluation of a Collagenase Generated Osteoarthritis Biomarker in Naturally Occurring Canine Cruciate Disease

To determine the clinical value of a novel osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker in detecting canine cruciate disease. Cross sectional clinical study. Dogs (n=22) with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and 12 control dogs. Concentrations of collagenase-generated cleavage epitope of type II collagen (Col2-3/4C(long mono), or C2C) in serum, urine, and joint fluid were compared between a group of dogs with CCL rupture and a control group. Correlation of C2C concentrations to the clinical stage of stifle OA was also evaluated. There were no significant differences in C2C concentrations in serum, urine, and joint fluid between groups (P >.05). Subjective scores of lameness, joint effusion, osteophytosis were significantly more severe in the CCL rupture group compared with the control group (P <.05). There was no significant correlation of C2C concentrations with clinical stage of stifle OA (P >.05). This OA biomarker did not detect pathology associated with CCL rupture. Our results suggest that collagenase-specific degradation of type II collagen in articular cartilage may not be involved in the early stage of naturally occurring canine cruciate disease, and that pathology associated with naturally occurring CCL rupture is different from that of experimental OA model. C2C is not clinically useful in detecting CCL rupture in dogs.