What is IRAP?
IRAP - A New Innovative
Product at Dr. T's
by Dr. Stone
The newest product available at Dr Ts Equine
Clinic for the management of joint
inflammation focuses on manipulation of the
inflammatory cytokines. Many of the
inflammatory processes are attributed to a
compound called Interleukin-1. The
elimination of Interleukin-1 from the joint can
be achieved through a new product that
generates a compound called Interleukin
Receptor Antagonist Protein – IRAP. This is a
product that comes form the horse’s own
blood that aids in the elimination of the
source of mild to moderate inflammation.
Blood from your horse is drawn into a syringe
containing glass beads. These beads are
coated with a virus, called an Adenovirus.
This virus has been genetically engineered to
Product at Dr. T's
by Dr. Stone
The newest product available at Dr Ts Equine
Clinic for the management of joint
inflammation focuses on manipulation of the
inflammatory cytokines. Many of the
inflammatory processes are attributed to a
compound called Interleukin-1. The
elimination of Interleukin-1 from the joint can
be achieved through a new product that
generates a compound called Interleukin
Receptor Antagonist Protein – IRAP. This is a
product that comes form the horse’s own
blood that aids in the elimination of the
source of mild to moderate inflammation.
Blood from your horse is drawn into a syringe
containing glass beads. These beads are
coated with a virus, called an Adenovirus.
This virus has been genetically engineered to
stimulate the production of this receptor antagonist protein from the monocytes (a
type of blood cell) in the blood. The blood is incubated for 16-24 hours and place in a
specially designed centrifuge, which separates the blood and the anti-inflammatory
rich plasma. This plasma is harvested, filtered, and is now ready for use in your
horse. The treatment protocol usually involves a series of three injections
administered weekly. Often there is extra plasma produced that can be stored for up
to 1 year for follow up treatment if necessary. The original thought was that through
the use of the Adenovirus coated glass beads, a specific inhibitor of Interleukin-1
was being produced. However in follow up work there is a large group of
anti-inflammatory compounds generated through this process. Therefore as it turns
out we are actually cooking an anti-inflammatory soup for your horse.
IRAP is useful in cases of mild to moderate joint disease. Case selection is crucial to
the successful use of this product. If there are chip fractures present or extensive
cartilage damage, then the success of IRAP therapy is limited. In these cases it is
important to carefully evaluate the severity of the damage to the joint. Removal of
bone fragments, and debridement of damaged cartilage is a necessary initial step to
treatment in these cases. IRAP is a helpful adjunct to therapy; however, additional
therapy is often necessary. In these cases healing can be augmented by the use of
Stem Cells.
Stem Cells can be harvested from the fat over the tail. The fat is then sent to
California to VET-STEM. The fat is processed and the stem cells are isolated and
shipped back to us. Stem cell therapy is often helpful in these cases, as the stem
cells serve as the base for healing to occur. In cases of very severe joint disease,
stem cells can be harvested from the bone marrow. Research indicates that stem
cells isolated from bone more readily differentiate into cells supportive of the tissues
present in the bone. These cells are more difficult to obtain and require
approximately 3 weeks to process. Our clinical experience is that fat derive stem
cells are very effective in most cases. One should note that the use of stem cells is
quite helpful in the treatment and management of tendon and ligament injuries as
well.
The therapeutic choices for inflammatory joint disease have improved vastly in
recent times. Options are now available that can be curative of the problem as
opposed to mere elimination of clinical signs. Please call us at Dr. Ts Equine Clinic so
that we can help you determine the best method of therapy and prevent inflammatory
joint disease in your performance athletes.
type of blood cell) in the blood. The blood is incubated for 16-24 hours and place in a
specially designed centrifuge, which separates the blood and the anti-inflammatory
rich plasma. This plasma is harvested, filtered, and is now ready for use in your
horse. The treatment protocol usually involves a series of three injections
administered weekly. Often there is extra plasma produced that can be stored for up
to 1 year for follow up treatment if necessary. The original thought was that through
the use of the Adenovirus coated glass beads, a specific inhibitor of Interleukin-1
was being produced. However in follow up work there is a large group of
anti-inflammatory compounds generated through this process. Therefore as it turns
out we are actually cooking an anti-inflammatory soup for your horse.
IRAP is useful in cases of mild to moderate joint disease. Case selection is crucial to
the successful use of this product. If there are chip fractures present or extensive
cartilage damage, then the success of IRAP therapy is limited. In these cases it is
important to carefully evaluate the severity of the damage to the joint. Removal of
bone fragments, and debridement of damaged cartilage is a necessary initial step to
treatment in these cases. IRAP is a helpful adjunct to therapy; however, additional
therapy is often necessary. In these cases healing can be augmented by the use of
Stem Cells.
Stem Cells can be harvested from the fat over the tail. The fat is then sent to
California to VET-STEM. The fat is processed and the stem cells are isolated and
shipped back to us. Stem cell therapy is often helpful in these cases, as the stem
cells serve as the base for healing to occur. In cases of very severe joint disease,
stem cells can be harvested from the bone marrow. Research indicates that stem
cells isolated from bone more readily differentiate into cells supportive of the tissues
present in the bone. These cells are more difficult to obtain and require
approximately 3 weeks to process. Our clinical experience is that fat derive stem
cells are very effective in most cases. One should note that the use of stem cells is
quite helpful in the treatment and management of tendon and ligament injuries as
well.
The therapeutic choices for inflammatory joint disease have improved vastly in
recent times. Options are now available that can be curative of the problem as
opposed to mere elimination of clinical signs. Please call us at Dr. Ts Equine Clinic so
that we can help you determine the best method of therapy and prevent inflammatory
joint disease in your performance athletes.