Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) is a surface modification technique used to improve the surface properties of titanium alloys, such as corrosion, wear resistance, and osseointegration. In addition to promoting the growth of a porous oxide coating on the sample’s surface, it is also possible to incorporate bioactive elements into this coating, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as elements with antimicrobial action, such as zinc. Thus, this study aimed at the surface modification of the β Ti-30Nb-5Mo alloy by the MAO method, incorporating calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc to improve osseointegration and promote bactericidal character in the produced coating. The results showed that the porosity, roughness, and crystallinity of the coating tend to increase with increasing Zn concentration in the electrolyte, while the contact angle decreases. The antimicrobial activity was promoted against the E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa bacteria strains and the C. albicans fungus. Incorporating Zn on the surface also did not negatively affect adiposetissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, and promoted more significant growth of these cells on the samples’ surface.

Cartilage injury defects in animals and humans result in the development of osteoarthritis and the progression of joint deterioration. Cell isolation from equine hyaline cartilage and evaluation of their ability to repair equine joint cartilage injuries establish a new experimental protocol for an alternative approach to osteochondral lesions treatment. Chondrocytes (CCs), isolated from the autologous cartilage of the trachea, grown in the laboratory, and subsequently arthroscopically implanted into the lesion site, were used to regenerate a chondral lesion of the carpal joint of a horse. Biopsies of the treated cartilage taken after 8 and 13 months of implantation for histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of the tissue demonstrate that the tissue was still immature 8 months after implantation, while at 13 months it was organized almost similarly to the original hyaline cartilage. Finally, a tissue perfectly comparable to native articular cartilage was detected 24 months after implantation. Histological investigations demonstrate the progressive maturation of the hyaline cartilage at the site of the lesion. The hyaline type of tracheal cartilage, used as a source of CCs, allows for the repair of joint cartilage injuries through the neosynthesis of hyaline cartilage that presents characteristics identical to the articular cartilage of the original tissue.

Subchondral bone cysts in horses represent one of the main causes of lameness that can occur in different anatomical locations. The study describes the treatment in regenerative therapy of the intracystic implantation of adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) included in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The ability of AMSCs to differentiate in osteogenic cells was tested in vitro and in vivo. Given the aim to investigate the application of AMSCs in bone defects and orthopedic pathologies in horses, a four-year-old male thoroughbred racing horse that had never raced before was treated for lameness of the left hind leg caused by a cyst of the medial femoral condyle. The horse underwent a new surgery performed with an arthroscopic approach in which the cystic cavity was filled with AMSCs contained in the PRP. Radiographs were taken 3, 5, and 10 months after the surgery to assess the development of newly regenerated bone tissue in the gap left by the cyst. Twelve months after the operation and after six months of regular daily training, the horse did not show any symptoms of lameness and started a racing career. According to the study, the use of AMSCs and PRP suggests promising benefits for treating subchondral bone cysts.