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IRAP stands for Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein. Interlukin-1 (IL-1) is the major inflammatory cytokine responsible for inflammation in the joint, cartilage degradation and resulting osteoarthritis. IL-1 has a counterpart, Interlukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1Ra) which blocks IL-1 and prevents the inflammatory cascade from proceeding. These two cytokines are in a balance in a healthy joint, but with arthritis, the balance shifts towards IL-1which accelerates cartilage damage and leads to osteoarthritis.
IRAP Joint Serum Therapy uses the patient's own white blood cells (macrophages) to mass produce IL-1Ra with the goal of injecting a high concentration of IL-1Ra back into the inflamed joint. This results in a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-degradative effect.
The process requires 50ml of the patient’s blood drawn with a special syringe containing acid-etched glass beads to activate the patient’s macrophages. The blood-bead mix is then incubated for 24 hours to increase IL-1Ra levels, centrifuged, and filtered and frozen for future use. The resulting fluid is a sterile preparation with a high concentration of IL-1Ra that your Veterinarian can inject into your horse’s arthritic joints to decrease pain and inflammation and help heal the cartilage. In most cases 3-4 syringes are produced and frozen. The treatment protocol is to inject the affected joint once weekly for 3 weeks. If there is a fourth syringe, it is saved to be used if needed in the future.
We are pleased to be able to offer this exciting new therapy.
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