AAKG & JIAOGULAN TREATMENT STUDY INFO
& FORM info TO FILL OUT ON YOUR HORSE FOR THE STUDY
The changes seen in DSLD suspensory ligaments are virtually identical to those found in a human condition called degenerative tendinopathy or desmopathy (desmopathy = diseased ligament. Altho DSLD/ESPA is caused by a different problem- mutated proteoglycan decorin). In the human condition, it has been found that increasing the levels of nitric oxide in the area gives pain relief and improves the functional outcome.
Brief Background: Nitric oxide, NO, is a simple gas, one nitrogen and one oxygen molecule. It is produced in the body by at least three different enzyme systems. Inside blood vessels, eNOS enzyme is constantly producing low levels of NO where it is a signal to blood vessels to dilate. NO release also triggers the release of growth factors which encourage the production of new blood vessels as needed, and healing of tissues. The iNOS enzyme system is normally inactive but in case of infection, injury, etc. it produces very high levels of NO which in turn inhibit the eNOS system. This is necessary for the “clean up” stages after tissue is damaged but if it continues there will be more damage because of ongoing reduced blood supply.
The drug nitroglycerin works by directly providing nitric oxide. The nitric oxide relieves chest pain in patients with heart disease by dilating the vessels of the heart. Nitroglycerin patches were used to treat the human degenerative tendon and ligament problems. Nitroglycerin has side effects though, like severe headaches or fainting, and resistance to its effects can develop. We therefore decided to try a different approach.
Jiaogulan is an herb that has the ability to stimulate NO production by the eNOS system while it simultaneously tones down activity of the iNOS system. AAKG contains the amino acid arginine, which is used to produce the NO. The NOS supplement you will see mentioned at times is the brand name of a human supplement which also contains AAKG.
Before trying these supplements, you MUST complete the information below, fill out Dr Kellon’s Study questions below and email to dsldinfo@gmail.com or use online Study form link here. Once the form is submitted you will be sent instructions on how to give the supplements and how to order.
Name, Age, breed, sex.
What were your horse's initial symptoms?
How old was your horse when symptoms started?
How did they progress over time?
Is the diagnosis of DSLD confirmed?
What diagnostic tests were used?
Are copies of ultrasounds available?
Can you post photos of the horse to the group's photo section? (Need whole body photo and photos of legs)
Are you willing to have repeat ultrasounds performed after 6 months on the supplements?
Also go to the database section of the group's web site, http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/DSLD-equine drop down to NOS/Jiaogulan trial and enter your horse. Notice the timing for updates at the top of the page. Please stay current with your reports. Both good and bad responses are important.
CAUTION: MORE IS NOT BETTER.
The AAKG supplement feeds both the iNOS and eNOS pathways indiscriminantly. If your horse seems to worsen, stop the AAKG, ice the legs several times daily for a few days and try again at a lower dose.
Jiaogulan can be continued. Read the file entitled “NOS and Jiaogulan information” for details on dosage and further precautions.
CAUTION: Many horses feel better within 1 to 3 days of starting the supplements. This can lead to them exercising too freely on legs that definitely have not had time to heal or change in any way. Tendons and ligaments heal very slowly. We're not even sure yet if any healing is a realistic expectation. It's a joyous sight when you see a horse go from painful to wanting to run and play, but this is not in the horse's best interest. If possible, keep the horse confined to a paddock where they can move around more than they would in a stall but not overdo it. Support boots or wraps are strongly recommended for horses that are only turned out of the stall or a small pen part of the day but make sure you know how to apply them properly and securely, and that they are checked frequently to make sure they have not loosened or come out of position. If swelling or pain develops as a result of the horse overdoing it, treat this with intensive icing.
For more information, please read the files and use the Search box on the message pages of the web site, using search terms like “nitroglycerin”, “NOS”, “arginine”, “Jiaogulan”.
Please post any questions to the group or contact me privately. drkellon@gmail.com
& FORM info TO FILL OUT ON YOUR HORSE FOR THE STUDY
The changes seen in DSLD suspensory ligaments are virtually identical to those found in a human condition called degenerative tendinopathy or desmopathy (desmopathy = diseased ligament. Altho DSLD/ESPA is caused by a different problem- mutated proteoglycan decorin). In the human condition, it has been found that increasing the levels of nitric oxide in the area gives pain relief and improves the functional outcome.
Brief Background: Nitric oxide, NO, is a simple gas, one nitrogen and one oxygen molecule. It is produced in the body by at least three different enzyme systems. Inside blood vessels, eNOS enzyme is constantly producing low levels of NO where it is a signal to blood vessels to dilate. NO release also triggers the release of growth factors which encourage the production of new blood vessels as needed, and healing of tissues. The iNOS enzyme system is normally inactive but in case of infection, injury, etc. it produces very high levels of NO which in turn inhibit the eNOS system. This is necessary for the “clean up” stages after tissue is damaged but if it continues there will be more damage because of ongoing reduced blood supply.
The drug nitroglycerin works by directly providing nitric oxide. The nitric oxide relieves chest pain in patients with heart disease by dilating the vessels of the heart. Nitroglycerin patches were used to treat the human degenerative tendon and ligament problems. Nitroglycerin has side effects though, like severe headaches or fainting, and resistance to its effects can develop. We therefore decided to try a different approach.
Jiaogulan is an herb that has the ability to stimulate NO production by the eNOS system while it simultaneously tones down activity of the iNOS system. AAKG contains the amino acid arginine, which is used to produce the NO. The NOS supplement you will see mentioned at times is the brand name of a human supplement which also contains AAKG.
Before trying these supplements, you MUST complete the information below, fill out Dr Kellon’s Study questions below and email to dsldinfo@gmail.com or use online Study form link here. Once the form is submitted you will be sent instructions on how to give the supplements and how to order.
Name, Age, breed, sex.
What were your horse's initial symptoms?
How old was your horse when symptoms started?
How did they progress over time?
Is the diagnosis of DSLD confirmed?
What diagnostic tests were used?
Are copies of ultrasounds available?
Can you post photos of the horse to the group's photo section? (Need whole body photo and photos of legs)
Are you willing to have repeat ultrasounds performed after 6 months on the supplements?
Also go to the database section of the group's web site, http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/DSLD-equine drop down to NOS/Jiaogulan trial and enter your horse. Notice the timing for updates at the top of the page. Please stay current with your reports. Both good and bad responses are important.
CAUTION: MORE IS NOT BETTER.
The AAKG supplement feeds both the iNOS and eNOS pathways indiscriminantly. If your horse seems to worsen, stop the AAKG, ice the legs several times daily for a few days and try again at a lower dose.
Jiaogulan can be continued. Read the file entitled “NOS and Jiaogulan information” for details on dosage and further precautions.
CAUTION: Many horses feel better within 1 to 3 days of starting the supplements. This can lead to them exercising too freely on legs that definitely have not had time to heal or change in any way. Tendons and ligaments heal very slowly. We're not even sure yet if any healing is a realistic expectation. It's a joyous sight when you see a horse go from painful to wanting to run and play, but this is not in the horse's best interest. If possible, keep the horse confined to a paddock where they can move around more than they would in a stall but not overdo it. Support boots or wraps are strongly recommended for horses that are only turned out of the stall or a small pen part of the day but make sure you know how to apply them properly and securely, and that they are checked frequently to make sure they have not loosened or come out of position. If swelling or pain develops as a result of the horse overdoing it, treat this with intensive icing.
For more information, please read the files and use the Search box on the message pages of the web site, using search terms like “nitroglycerin”, “NOS”, “arginine”, “Jiaogulan”.
Please post any questions to the group or contact me privately. drkellon@gmail.com
