Objective: To investigate whether 14-3-3 eta protein is detectable in synovial fluid and blood serum of high performance horses and to study whether any significant correlation between this and matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 in horse synovial fluid. Design: Clinical study. Animals: Eleven standard breed horses (seven high performances and four controls). Procedures: Blood serum and fetlock synovial fluid of seven high performance and four control horses were subjected to western blot for detection of 14-3-3 eta, gama, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 proteins. Results: High level of 14-3-3 eta protein was detected in synovial fluid of high performance horses compare to those of control (P<0.05). 14-3-3 gama protein was detectable in synovial fluid and significant differences was found between high performance and control horses (P<0.05). The level of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 were significantly increased in samples of high performance horses relative to of that control (p<0.05). The results showed that 14-3-3 eta protein was significantly increased in serum samples of high performance horses relative to of that control (P<0.05). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: 14-3-3 eta isoform can be readily detected in synovial fluid and blood serum of high performance horses and presence of this protein has significant effect on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 in synovial fluid. As the high performance horses are always prone to joint diseases, this protein might be use as an early diagnostic tool in some joint inflammatory conditions.

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