IRAP
“Therapeutic proteins from the patient… for the patient.” IRAP™ therapy utilizes your horse’s own blood and natural healing mechanisms. IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) is an anti-inflammatory protein that counteracts the destructive effects of inflammatory proteins such as Interleukin-1 (IL-1) within the inflamed joint. The patented IRAP syringe produces autologous conditioned serum (ACS), which contains active quantities of anti-inflammatory and regenerative cytokines. The IRAP syringe contains specially treated glass beads that stimulate the white blood cells to produce the anti-inflammatory and regenerative cytokines. The whole blood is incubated overnight and then centrifuged to collect serum. The serum produced is then re-injected back into the patient. IRAP therapy is especially useful in horses with osteoarthritis that is not responsive to conventional treatments.
PRP(Platelet Rich Plasma)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative therapy that uses the body’s own healing factors. Platelets contain numerous growth factors that improve the healing process. Blood is collected from the patient and processed to concentrate and separate out the platelets. When injected into inflamed or injured tissue the PRP is able to deliver a powerful cocktail of growth factors that can dramatically enhance tissue recovery.PRP is most often used to facilitate healing in tendon and ligament injuries.
Stem Cells
Stem cells are multipotent and can differentiate into tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, cardiac, nerve, muscle, blood vessels, fat, and liver tissue. Stem cells currently are provided by the horse’s own bone marrow or fat, which are then processed and re-injected back into the injured tissue. The cells help injuries heal with strong and appropriate tissue and limit the amount of scar tissue.
In 2003, Vet-Stem selected the treatment of equine tendons and ligaments as the first application for Vet-Stem Regenerative Cells (VSRC) therapy due to the catastrophic impact that many of the injuries have on horses and horse owners. Stem cells are a cutting-edge therapy available for treating serious injuries of tendons, ligaments, and joints. Recent independent studies have demonstrated improved healing with little or no scar tissue.
Pro-Stride
Pro-Stride is a regenerative therapy that combines the benefits of IRAP and PRP in one product to treat Joint disease.
Pro-Stride APS is a proprietary dual-device system whose output produces a concentrated solution of cells, platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory proteins (including IL-1ra and other anabolic proteins).
- All-Natural (from patient’s own blood)
- Clinically demonstrated effectiveness*
- Convenient (no incubation, <20-minute processing, ambulatory)
Interleukin-1, also known as IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, also known as TNF-alpha, are the key pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines which need to be blocked from damaging the tissue. These inflammatory cytokines bind to the cell surface receptors on the cartilage and start the process of cartilage breakdown which ultimately leads to joint pain and damage.
There are several naturally occurring inhibitors (anti-inflammatory proteins) of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha. These include the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), also known as IL-1ra, SIL-1r, also known as Soluble interleukin-1 receptor and STNF-rs, known as Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors. All of these are highly concentrated within Pro-Stride APS.
- Pro-Stride does not require an incubation period
- Pro-Stride’s output is not an autologous conditioned serum (ACS)