Researchers have found that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) can help boost the viability and proliferation of equine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells (ASCs). ASCs are cellular precursors that can regenerate musculoskeletal tissue, making them useful for treating injuries in horses.

In this study, the researchers exposed ASCs to different pulses of ESWT and observed increased proliferation and expression of Cx43, a protein involved in cell-to-cell communication. Additionally, ESWT led to the activation of a signaling pathway associated with cell proliferation.

Interestingly, ESWT did not appear to affect the differentiation potential of the ASCs, meaning that the cells retained their ability to develop into specialized tissue types.

Overall, these findings suggest that shockwave therapy could be a useful tool for enhancing the regenerative potential of cells in horses, potentially leading to more effective treatments for musculoskeletal injuries.