03076: The Effect of Overweight and Obesity on Adult Stem Cell Function for Regenerative Therapies in Dogs

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a significant cause of lameness, discomfort, and debilitation in dogs, affecting up to 18 million dogs in the United States. Treatment of osteoarthritis relies heavily on pain management, often through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can have adverse effects with chronic use. Regenerative medicine is gaining popularity and offers new strategies to treat osteoarthritis, focusing on reducing/reversing the disease process rather than only mitigating the symptoms. Stem cells isolated from adipose tissue (fat) have the potential to repair damaged tissue through multiple properties, including replacement of damaged tissues and reduction of inflammation. However, adipose-derived stem cells from overweight or obese people have been shown to be less effective for regenerative medicine. Whether adipose-derived stem cells from overweight or obese dogs are less effective to treat osteoarthritis is unknown. CHF-funded investigators will address this knowledge gap by evaluating the regenerative functions of adipose-derived stem cells from lean, overweight, and obese dogs under laboratory conditions and determine whether increasing body condition in dogs negatively impacts the pro-regenerative capabilities of adipose-derived stem cells. This knowledge is critical to refine best practices for regenerative medicine with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes for dogs with osteoarthritis.