IRAP

IRAP – (Interleukin receptor antagonist protein) is a treatment for arthritis in horses and in humans. Interleukins are compounds in joints largely responsible for the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. IRAP decreases joint pain by interfering with the activity of Interleukin 1 and similar compounds. For the procedure, you obtain a large syringe of blood. The syringe you pull the blood into has hundreds of glass balls that have been exposed to a certain gas that favors the “IRAP” and helps amplify it. Once the blood is obtained, it is incubated overnight and then spun in a centrifuge to separate the serum from the other components. This serum is rich in IRAP and once passed through a filter, is injected directly into the desired joint. Extra serum is frozen for subsequent treatments. Typically, a series of 3-4 injections are performed 1-2 week apart to treat 1 affected joint.