Professor emerita, DVM, PhD, diplomate of ECVP
Research
My research is concentrated on the pathology of the musculoskeletal system with emphasis on two important and common diseases seen in our domestic animals; Osteoarthritis (OA) and Osteoschondoris (OC)
The aim of the research
To find, create and use biomarkers for inflammatory, anabolic, catabolic, and painful processes in connection with OA and OC, in order to detect the tissue changes early and hence be able to prevent development of chronic irreversible damage to the joints. The studies aim to delineate the early development with progression towards chronic tissue destruction, in order to understand the pathogenesis. This knowledge is crucial when trying to prevent chronic damage in OA and OC joints.
On-going research projects
Identification of unique protein fragments found in inflamed articular cartilage in vitro. In addition, evaluate if these molecules are present in serum and synovial fluids from animals with early subclinical joint lesions of OA and OC diseases. The aim of the research is to design a biomarker panel for clinical use, detecting early reversible joint lesions. The research is also translational aiming to detect early joint lesions in man. The project is a collaboration between SLU (Professor Eva Skiöldebrand) and Sahlgrenska Akademin, Gothenburg (Professor Anders Lindahl), USA (Professor Cathy Carlson, StPaul-Minneapolis, Minnesota) and Nya Zeeland (Keren Dittmer, DVM, PhD, Massey University).
The research has been funded by FORMAS, SHF and Vetenskapsrådet.
Recent publications:
“The effect of housing environment on bone healing in a critical radius defect in New Zealand White rabbits.” Hedenqvist P, Trbakovic A, Mellgren T, Öhman-Mägi C, Hammarström Johansson P, Manell E, Ekman S, Ley C, Jensen-Waern M, Thor A.Hedenqvist P. PLoS One. 2020 May 21;15(5):e0233530. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233530. eCollection
"Effect of circadian rhythm, age, training, and acute lameness on serum concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) neo-epitope in horses" Ekman S, Lindahl A, Rüetschi U, JanssonA, Björkman K, Abrahamsson–Aurell K, BjörnsdóttirS, LöfgrenM, Mattsson HulténL and Skiöldebrand E. Equine Vet Journal 2019.
“Neuromas at the castration site in geldings” Bengtsdotter EA. Ekman S. Haubro-Andersen P. ACTA VET SCAND 2019 Sep 24;61(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s13028-019-0479-8
“Biomarkers for equine joint injury and osteoarthritis, Review”. McIlwraith W, Kawcak C, Frisbie D, Little C, Clegg P, Peffers M, Karsdal M, Ekman S, Laverty S, Slayden R, Sandell L, Lohmander S, Kraus V. 2017. Orthop Res. Mar;36 (3):823-831, 2018
See comment in PubMed Commons below“A new synthetic granular calcium phosphate compound induces new bone in a sinus lift rabbit model.” Trbakovic A, Hedenqvist P, Mellgren T, Ley C, Hilborn J, Ossipov D, Ekman S, Johansson CB, Jensen-Waern M, Thor A. J Dent. 70:31-38, 2018
“Time-dependent changes in gene expression induced in vitro by interleukin-1β in equine articular cartilage”. Löfgren M, Svala E, Lindahl A, Skiöldebrand E, Ekman S. Res Vet Science 118:466-476, 2018.
“Septic arthritis/osteomyelitis may lead to osteochondrosis-like lesions in foals”. Wormstad B, Östvik L, Ekman S, Olstad K. Vet pathology, Sep 55(5):693-702. 2018.
"Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee is a result of failure of the blood supply to growth cartilage and osteochondrosis." Olstad K, Cannamela C, Polousky J, Ytrehus B, Carlson CS, Ekman S, Shea K. Osteoarthritis & Cartilage, Dec;26(12):1691-1698, 2018
"Observational Study Design in Veterinary Pathology. Part 1: Study Design". Caswell j, BAssel LL, Rothenburger JL, Gröne A, Sargeant JM, Beck AP, Ekman S, Gibso-Corley KN, Kuiken t, LaDouceaur EEB, Meyerholz DK, Origi FC, Posthaus H, Priestnall SL, Ressel L, Sharkey L, Teixeira LBC, Uchida K, Ward JM, Webster JD, Yamate J. Vet Pathology, Sep:55(5):607-621. 2018
"Observational Study Design in Veterinary Pathology. Part 2: Methodology and validation of methods". Caswell j, Bassel LL, Rothenburger JL, Gröne A, Sargeant JM, Beck AP, Ekman S, Gibso-Corley KN, Kuiken t, LaDouceaur EEB, Meyerholz DK, Origi FC, Posthaus H, Priestnall SL, Ressel L, Sharkey L, Teixeira LBC, Uchida K, Ward JM, Webster JD, Yamate J. Vet Pathology, 2018
