Platelet-rich Plasma Preparation Research Articles

Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy versus topical Minoxidil in men with moderate androgenetic alopecia: a randomized open-label trial

BackgroundPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an adjunctive treatment in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Its role as a monotherapy, when compared to FDA-approved therapies in moderate grades of androgenetic alopecia is not established.ObjectivesWe sought to study the efficacy and safety of standardized non-activated PRP preparation against topical minoxidil in AGA.MethodsMen aged 20–50 with Grade III and IV (Modified Hamilton-Norwood) AGA were randomized to receive 5% Minoxidil (×6 months) or PRP injections (monthly ×3). The primary endpoints were global photographic assessment at week 24, change in target area hair counts, density, and anagen hair at week 12. Other outcomes were subjects’ satisfaction and adverse events.ResultsIn total, 64 participants were randomized. At week 24, 56% responded to Minoxidil arm and 38% to PRP (p = 0.124). There was a significant increase in target area hair count and density at week 12 within the groups. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Adverse events occurred in 53% and 37% of the PRP and minoxidil groups, respectively. Patient satisfaction was better with Minoxidil.ConclusionPRP is effective in the treatment of moderate grades of androgenetic alopecia in men, although perhaps not different from minoxidil. Side effects occur more frequently with PRP.

Global research trends on platelet-rich plasma for tendon and ligament injuries from the past two decades: A bibliometric and visualized study.

In sports medicine, tendon and ligament injuries are the most prevalent conditions, and with the booming of sports competition, the incidence of sports injuries is gradually increasing, investigating more potent therapeutic options is therefore becoming increasingly crucial. Platelet-rich plasma therapy has gained popularity as an effective and secure treatment in recent years. Currently, a faceted systematic and clear visual analysis is lacking in this research area. The literature related to using platelet-rich plasma to treat ligament and tendon injuries from 2003 to 2022 in the core dataset of the Web of Science database was collected and analyzed visually using Citespace 6.1 software. Research hotspots and development trends were analyzed in terms of high-impact countries or regions, authors, research institutions, keywords, and cited literature. The literature comprised a total of 1,827 articles. The annual publication volume of relevant literature has demonstrated a significant development tendency as the field of platelet-rich plasma research for tendon and ligament injuries has heated up in recent years. With 678 papers, the United States came in top place, followed by China with 187 papers. Hosp Special Surg ranked first with 56 papers. The hot research topics analyzed by keywords were tennis elbow, anterior cruciate ligament, rotator cuff repair, achilles tendon, mesenchymal stem cells, guided tissue regeneration, network meta analysis, chronic patellar tendinopathy, and follow up. Analysis of the research literature over the past 20 years shows that the United States and China will continue to dominate in terms of volume of publications based on annual volume and trends, with some collaboration among high-impact authors and further collaboration still needed in different countries and institutions. Platelet-rich plasma is widely used in the treatment of tendon ligament injuries. Its clinical efficacy is influenced by a number of factors, the main ones being the inconsistency in the preparation and composition of platelet-rich plasma and its related preparations, and the differences in efficacy due to different activation methods of platelet-rich plasma, as well as factors such as injection time, injection site, administration method, number of administrations, acidity and evaluation methods, In addition, the applicability to different injury diseases remains controversial. In recent years, the molecular biology of platelet-rich plasma for tendon ligament therapy has received increasing attention.

Optimal Injection Volume in Treatment of Tendinopathy

Background: Tendinopathy, a pathology of tendons characterized by inflammation and or degeneration, is a prevalent cause of disease and disability in active and working patients. Within the past decade, orthobiologic injections such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) have become increasingly popular within the musculoskeletal physician’s practice for treatment of chronic tendinopathies. However, there is a lack of standardization of PRP preparation and injection protocols, leading to gaps in our knowledge regarding the optimal administration dosages to maximize treatment efficacy. Purpose: This review aims to compile and evaluate the existing data for PRP injection volumes for various tendinopathies in hopes of contributing to standardization of PRP protocols, with a further goal of minimiz-ing waste of a costly therapeutic. Study Design: Systematic Review Methods: In June 2020, comprehensive electronic database searches were conducted by a medical librarian in Medline via PubMed, EMBASE (embase.com), CINAHL (EbscoHost), CENTRAL and Scopus according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data was extracted from studies meeting inclusion criteria on injection volumes and outcomes and grouped based on anatomic injection location. Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified for inclusion in which ultrasound-guided intra-tendinous PRP injections were administered to patients to treat various tendinopathies. For all tendon locations, the mini-mum volume of injectate reported achieved positive clinical outcomes in patients compared to baseline. Conclusions: Despite its many benefits—tendon healing, pain relief, increased function—PRP can pose a significant financial burden to patients, with patients often having to pay for the full cost out-of-pocket due to lack of insurance coverage. This study provides evidence that PRP can be effective at smaller volumes, minimizing waste and the out-of-pocket cost to the patient. In addition, this study further stresses the impor-tance of protocol standardization. Clinical Relevance: Though more data is needed, it is apparent that the minimum amount of injectate used clinically for various anatomic locations is enough for overall positive outcomes, and therefore can be the recommended dose given. As such, the authors have incorporated the minimum injection volume into their practice using the following volumes: Rotator Cuff-1 mL, Lateral or Medial Epicondyle-1.5 mL, Gluteal or Hamstring-3 mL, Patella-2 mL, Achilles-3 mL. Unfortunately, without more data available in the literature, the authors cannot make stronger recommendations at this time. What is known about the subject: Among intralesional injections for the treatment of tendinopathy, PRP has shown positive results in multiple trials and has made its way into many musculoskeletal physicians’ practice. However, there is a significant lack of standardization in PRP protocols. What this study adds to existing knowledge: While other reviews have highlighted the discrepancies amongst PRP protocols, our review is the first to examine injection volume and its effect on outcomes. We were able to suggest a minimum injectate amount for positive outcomes, either pain relief or improvement in the tendon appearance on imaging.

Outcome of Intra-articular Injection of Total Stromal Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy appeared promising in knee osteoarthritis (OA). We examined if a single intra-articular (IA) autologous total stromal cells (TSC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection improved knee pain, physical function, and articular cartilage thickness in knee OA. The study was performed in the physical medicine and rehabilitation department of Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Knee OAwasdiagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria and randomly assigned to treatment (received TSC and PRP) and control groups. Kallgreen-Lawrance (KL) scoring system was used to grade primary knee OA. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0-10 cm) for pain, WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) for physical function, and medial femoral condylar cartilage (MFC) thickness (millimeters) under ultrasonogram (US) were documented and compared between groups before and after treatment. Statistical Package analyzed data for Social Scientists (SPSS 22.0; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were measured using the Wilcoxon-sign test, whereasMann-Whitney U-test calculated the difference between groups; a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result:In the treatment group, 15 received IA-TSC and PRP preparation, and in the control group, 15 patientsreceived no injection, but quadricep muscle-strengtheningexercise. There was no significant difference betweengroups regarding VAS for pain, WOMAC physical function, and cartilage thickness before starting the treatment andtwo weeks after intervention. VAS for pain and WOMAC physical function scores improved profoundly in the treatment group after 12 and 24 weeks of intervention; the pain and physical function scores difference between groups was also significant. However, significant mean femoral cartilage thickness was not changed until the end of 24 weeks(U=175.00, p=0.009 two-tailed and U= 130.00, p=0.016 two-tailed, respectively, for right and left knee). Single TSC and PRP injection reduces knee pain and improves physical function and cartilage thickness in knee OA. While pain and physical function improvement happen earlier, cartilage thickness changetakes more time.

Basic Science of Autologous Orthobiologics: Part 1. Platelet-Rich Plasma.

In recent years, autologous biological preparations have emerged as a growing area of medical innovation in interventional orthopedical procedures and surgical interventions. These cellular therapies are often referred to as orthobiologics and are derived from patient's own tissues, such as blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissue to prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow concentrate, and adipose tissue concentrate, respectively. In this article, we will emphasize and discuss the physiological variability of autologous PRP bioformulations regarding their effectivity in tissue repair. Furthermore, recent developments concerning platelet dosing, potentially effecting immunomodulation, and pain killing will be described.

Basic Science of Autologous Orthobiologics: Part 2. Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

In recent years, autologous biological preparations have emerged as a growing area of medical innovation in interventional orthopedical procedures and surgical interventions. These cellular therapies are often referred to as orthobiologics and are derived from patient's own tissues, like blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissue to prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow concentrate (BMC), and adipose tissue concentrate (ATC), respectively. In this article, we emphasize and discuss the physiologic variability of autologous prepared BMC and ATC for the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells to support tissue repair processes.

Comparıson of the effect of the autogenıc and xenogenıc use of platelet-rıch plasma on rabbıt chondrocutaneous composıte graft survıval

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become popular in the medical world due to its content of growth factors and numerous studies are experimental. In experimental studies, the preparation and application of PRP are problematic and allogenic PRP transfers have been preffered, because of the difficulties in preparation of autogenic PRP in animal experiments. Xenogenic transfers and their effects have not been studied in this topic. This study aimed to investigate the effect of autogenic and xenogenic use of PRP on composite graft viability. Methods: Two composite grafts are prepared for each ear of nine rabbits. Each ear was randomly divided into three groups. After the procedure, the wound edges and base were injected with 1 cc serum physiologic, autogenic PRP or 1 cc human-derived xenogenic PRP. At 3 weeks, samples were taken, photographic and histopathological evaluations were made. Results: The graft viability was better in autogenic and xenogenic group compared to the control group. In comprasion of autogenic and xenogenic groups, although the macroscopic evaluation revealed better graft viability and less necrosis in the group which had been treated with autogenic PRP, the difference was not statistically significant. The three groups did not significantly differ in terms of inflammation. Vascularization examined histopathologically. CD31 staining, which was used to evaluate angiogenesis, was significantly higher in the autogenic PRP group than the remaining two groups. Conclusion: Although autogenic PRP has better results histopathologically, the xenogenic use of PRP may be an alternative for studies, when macroscopic evaluation is necessary.

An umbrella review of the use of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, as well as establish an effective treatment protocol and optimal PRP preparation procedure. We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, CNKI, and Wanfang databases from inception to October 29, 2021, using PROSPERO's International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration ID: CRD42022295921). The original literature search revealed 215 reviews; after duplication removal, 89 papers were eliminated, 95 were eliminated after reading the titles and abstracts, and eventually, 28 articles were included after reading the complete text. PRP treatment for androgenetic alopecia is effective, and we recommend the following: (1) a PRP volume of at least 0.05 ml/cm2 , preferably 0.1ml/cm2 ; (2) at least three consecutive treatments at an interval of 1month; (3) intensive therapy is beneficial and can be provided from 3 to 6months after continuous treatment; (4) objective indicators such as hair diameter, hair count; (5) long-term follow-up.

Advances and prospects of platelet-rich plasma therapy in veterinary ophthalmology.

In the recent decades, there has been a significant uptick on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a better alternative for ophthalmologic therapies in pathologies, primarily of the ocular surface. PRP is a class of liquid platelet concentrate containing a supra-physiological concentration of platelets in a relatively small amount of plasma. Its potential to heal various tissues has piqued interest in its therapeutic application as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine. It is currently a popular therapeutic agent in plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and even oral and maxillofacial surgery. Based on the data from in vitro and in vivo studies, it can be concluded that PRP possesses adequate therapeutic potential in ocular pathologies, especially those involving cornea. In addition, the high concentrations of growth factors (TGF-β, VEGF, EGF) present in the PRP accelerate the healing of the corneal epithelium. PRP has great therapeutic prospects in veterinary ophthalmology as a regenerative therapeutic modality. However, several variables are yet to be defined and standardized that can directly affect the efficacy of PRP application in different ophthalmic conditions. There is a shortage of research on the use of PRP in ocular surface defects compared to the number of studies and reports on the use of autologous and allogeneic serum eye drops. Therefore, a data-driven approach is required to generate consensus/guidelines for the preparation, characterization, and therapeutic use of PRP in veterinary ophthalmology. This review aims to inform readers of the latest research on PRP, including its preparation methods, physiological and biochemical properties, clinical applications in veterinary ophthalmology, and their safety and efficacy.

Artificial cerebrospinal fluid restores aspirin-inhibited physiological hemostasis through recovery of platelet aggregation function.

Optimal hemostasis provides safety and reliability during neurosurgery which improves surgical outcomes. Previously, artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and its component sodium bicarbonate were found to facilitate physiological hemostasis by amplifying platelet aggregation. This study aimed to verify whether aCSF amplifies platelet-dependent hemostasis in the presence of antiplatelet agents. We prepared platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or washed platelets using aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, (ASA)) or normal saline (NS). We evaluated samples treated with a commercially available aCSF solution or NS for amplification of aggregation, activation of integrin αIIbβ3, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, P-selectin (CD62P) expression, and formation of microparticles (MPs). We assessed the effect of aCSF on in vivo hemostasis in the presence of ASA by measuring the tail bleeding time in ASA-or NS-injected C57BL/6N mice. Compared with NS, aCSF amplified ASA-inhibited platelet aggregation by recovering platelet activation including PS exposure, MP release, CD62P expression, and integrin αIIbβ3 activation. When using washed platelets, aCSF almost completely counteracted the inhibition of platelet aggregation by ASA. Prolonged bleeding time from the amputated tail of ASA-injected mice was significantly shortened by the treatment with aCSF compared to NS. Sodium bicarbonate also directly amplified ASA-inhibited platelet aggregation. aCSF and sodium bicarbonate facilitate physiological hemostasis through the recovery of inhibited platelet aggregation even in the presence of ASA. The utilization of aCSF in the operative field may be advantageous for facilitating hemostasis in patients with impaired platelet function and contribute to improving outcomes of neurosurgery.

Evaluation of keeping quality of canine platelet rich plasma under different storage conditions

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an integral part of regenerative medicine as the platelets possess a good healing capacity owing to the presence of a wide variety of growth factors in the platelet granules found in the cytoplasm of the platelet. Autologous PRP was prepared from the blood of the patient itself, without any preservatives. Storage of PRP was one of the main hurdles of the treatment modality. During storage, the platelet counts may get reduced, undergo activation or get contaminated with bacteria as no preservatives are used in the preparation of autologous PRP. Cytological changes and microbial quality of the PRP during storage at 4oC and -20oC for seven days were analysed in this study. Reduction in platelet count and the chance of microbial contamination were less when autologous PRP was stored at -20°C compared to 4°C.

Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Promote Facial Rejuvenation? Revising the Latest Evidence in a Narrative Review.

Facial aging is characterized by progressive macroscopic, histological, and molecular changes. Due to its regenerative and rejuvenating properties, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a facial antiaging agent has gained popularity over the last decade. In order to gather and evaluate the latest evidence focusing on the effect of PRP on facial skin rejuvenating, a search through MEDLINE (PubMed) using relevant keywords, inclusion, and exclusion criteria was performed. A total of 539 articles were initially retrieved, and from those, 16 were included in the review. Treatment protocols comprised the use of PRP both in monotherapy and in combination with other substances and by means of direct injection or topical application following skin permeation. The selected studies presented high variability regarding PRP preparation methods, administration protocols, and results assessment. In most studies, PRP seemed to improve to some degree the signs of facial aging, such has wrinkles, skin quality, and pigmentation, accompanied by significant histological and molecular responses. Optimizing treatment protocols should be the next step in assessing the full potential of PRP.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy when combined with fresh and frozen platelet-rich plasma on chronic wound healing in rats.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has an added dimension to the armamentarium of treating complicated chronic wounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of HBOT on chronic wounds when combined with fresh and frozen platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Rats were divided into two main groups containing 18 rats in each group as HBOT received and non-received. Each group was divided into three subgroups as Group 1: Control, Group 2: Fresh, and Group 3: Frozen PRP applied. For PRP preparation, 10 rats were used. Histologic parameters including fibroblast, collagen fibers, lymphocytes, and vessels were evaluated by Clemex Vision Lite 3.5; wound sizes were evaluated by ImageJ digital analyzing program. In HBOT received group, the number of fibroblasts, collagen fibers, lymphocytes, and vessels in all fresh and frozen PRP applied and control subgroups were significantly higher than hyperbaric oxygen non-received group (p<0.05). In HBOT received group, wound surface area measurement values of control, fresh, and frozen PRP applied groups at 5-10-15 days were lower than HBOT non-received group. HBOT accelerates wound healing when combined with both fresh and frozen PRP. Frozen PRP is as effective as fresh form to be considered as an alternative in clinical setting.

Comparison of Clinical and Functional Outcomes after Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of de Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has local anti-inflammatory actions, which is being used as a treatment in various tendinopathies. Purpose The aim of the study is to compare the clinical results of PRP injection and corticosteroid injection in the management of de Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQTSV). Patients and Methods In this prospective study, 60 patients of DQTSV, fulfilling the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were randomised into two groups. In group 1 ( n = 30), patients received a single injection of autologous PRP and in group 2 ( n = 30) they received a single injection of corticosteroid (methylprednisolone). All patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year for evaluation by Finkelstein test, visual analogue scale (VAS), DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score, and Modified Mayo Wrist score (MMWS). Results In both the groups improvement occurred in Finkelstein test, VAS score, DASH score, and MMWS which were found to be statistically significant at all points of follow-ups when compared to the pre-intervention values. Comparison of scores between the two groups did not show any statistical significance. No complications were reported in PRP group. Statistically significant complications ( p -value = 0.026) like subcutaneous fat atrophy, depigmentation, and temporary increase in pain were seen in eight patients in the corticosteroid group with an overall complication rate of 26.67%. Conclusion Both the modalities are equally effective in the management of DQTSV remittance. PRP is equally effective as corticosteroid in reducing symptoms of first dorsal compartment stenosing tenosynovitis. PRP may have a lower complication profile, however, this benefit should be weighed against the slight increase in cost and time of PRP preparation and injection. Level of Evidence Level 2, prospective comparative study.

Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of activated and non-activated platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Notwithstanding, some inconsistences remain due to methodological differences in PRP preparation such as the use (or not) of activation strategies. We aimed to evaluate whether the use of non-activated PRP would be as effective as activated PRP in patients with knee OA. All randomized, placebo-controlled trials were identified through a search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science up to June 2022. Pre- and post-injection pain and function scores were collected. The meta-analysis was conducted with a random-effects model and generic inverse variance method. Effect sizes were estimated using standardized mean differences (SMD). Fourteen clinical trials involving 1292 subjects were included for meta-analysis. Exogenous activation of PRP revealed a significant pain relief (SMD, - 1.05 [95% CI - 1.58 to - 0.52]; p = 0.0001) and a significant functional improvement (SMD, - 1.21 [95% CI - 1.75 to - 0.67]; p < 0.0001) unlike studies describing the use of a non-activated PRP. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the effect size for both outcomes was not influenced by a single study. The results of this systematic review suggest that the use of an exogenously activated PRP is more effective in improving both pain and functional scores in patients with knee OA. Key Points • Results from meta-analysis suggest that exogenously activated PRP is clinically more effective than non-activated PRP. • The use of an activated PRP was more frequently reported by the included studies. • The most frequent method for activation was the use of calcium chloride (CaCl2).

Research trends on platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of wounds during 2002-2021: A 20-year bibliometric analysis.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has attracted attention because of its potential to accelerate the wound healing process. However, resources for evaluating research trends in the treatment of wounds with PRP were limited. In this study, we aimed to make a bibliometric analysis of the literature related to PRP in the treatment of wounds and explore the research status, hotspots and frontiers in this field in recent 20 years. Studies about PRP treatment for wounds from 2002 to 2021 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) of Web of Science (WOS) database. Visualisation softwares such as VOSviewer and SCImago Graphica, and CiteSpace were used to analyse the research trends and features. A total of 1748 studies were identified in the SCI-Expanded from 2002 to 2021. The number of publications on PRP in the treatment of wounds has shown an increasing trend, from 6 (in 2002) to 228 (in 2021). The papers published in the United States have led in times cited (14637) and H-index (63). Though Italy was slightly lower than China in the number of publications, the H-index and average cited (47, 28.45) were higher than that of China (38, 27.01). The strongest keyword was "fibrin" (strength=13.07), and the longest burst duration keyword was "thrombin" (began in 2002 and ended in 2014). The largest 10 co-citation clusters are as follows: endothelial cell proliferation (#0), regenerative medicine-associated treatment (#1), diabetic wound healing (#2), autologous derived (#3), platelet-rich fibrin (#4), tissue engineering (#5), regenerative potential (#6), clinical randomised trial (#7), histologic observation (#8), and wound bacteria (#9). The United States has made the most outstanding contribution in this field. Chinese researchers need to enhance the quality of publications further. Wound Repair Regen. is the most noteworthy journal. The mechanism of growth factors of PRP, combination therapy, preparation of PRP, and related clinical trials may be topics that need attention.

Extracellular Vesicles in Regenerative Processes Associated with Muscle Injury Recovery of Professional Athletes Undergoing Sub Maximal Strength Rehabilitation

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has great potential in regenerative medicine. In addition to the well-known regenerative potential of secreted growth factors, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential key players in the regulation of tissue repair. However, little is known about their therapeutic potential as regenerative agents. In this study, we have identified and subtyped circulating EVs (platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived EVs) in the peripheral blood of athletes recovering from recent muscular injuries and undergoing a submaximal strength rehabilitation program. We found a significant increase in circulating platelet-derived EVs at the end of the rehabilitation program. Moreover, EVs from PRP samples were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and analyzed by label-free proteomics. The proteomic analysis of PRP-EVs revealed that 32% of the identified proteins were associated to "defense and immunity", and altogether these proteins were involved in vesicle-mediated transport (GO: 0016192; FDR = 3.132 × 10-19), as well as in wound healing (GO: 0042060; FDR = 4.252 × 10-13) and in the events regulating such a process (GO: 0061041; FDR = 2.812 × 10-12). Altogether, these data suggest that platelet-derived EVs may significantly contribute to the regeneration potential of PRP preparations.

The efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma in the tendon-exposed wounds: a preliminary study

ObjectiveCurrently, among wounds with large skin tissue defects caused by various reasons, the treatment of refractory wounds is still a major clinical problem. This study is aimed to preliminarily assess the therapeutic potentials of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in refractory wounds with exposed tendons, as well as corresponding efficacy and safety.MethodsA total of 12 patients (5 males and 7 females) with refractory wounds and exposed tendons who were admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 were included in this study. After the preparation of PRP, the included patients underwent the PRP injection after the debridement of wounds, and the efficacy and prognosis were assessed by the same group of senior surgeons.ResultsThe average age of included patients was 42.7 ± 12.9 years, and the causes of injury included traffic accidents (3 cases), contusion (2 cases), burns (2 cases), diabetes complications (4 cases), and melanoma complications (1 cases). The average healing time was 23.0 ± 5.0 days, and the mean size of the wound was 3.1 × 5.1 cm2. During the whole treatment process, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) decreased from 7.4 ± 1.6 before PRP treatment to 3.6 ± 0.9 after treatment (P < 0.001), Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) decreased from 12.3 ± 4.5 before PRP treatment to 5.4 ± 1.2 after treatment (P < 0.001), and no redness and swelling were observed around wounds, the size and degree of wounds gradually reduced, the coverage rate of granulation tissue was acceptable, overall quality of scar was relatively good, skin sensitivity around wounds was normal, there was no local wounds secretion, and postoperative patient's satisfaction was relatively good during follow-up.ConclusionsOur study has preliminarily indicated that PRP can promote the wounds healing, reduce the inflammation around wounds, and improve the granulation tissue and angiogenesis, thereby effectively polishing up the safety and efficacy.

An Open-Labeled Randomized Prospective Multi-center Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intra-articular Injection of OSSINEXT™, an Autologous Growth Factor Concentrate (AGFC) Compared to Hyaluronic Acid (HA) in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is known as degenerative arthritis and is the second most common rheumatologic problem with a prevalence of 22%-39% in India. Knee OA (KOA) is a major cause of mobility impairment, particularly among females. Non-surgical treatment options for KOA include intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Most commercially available PRP preparation kits do not remove RBCs and WBCs which are detrimental to the healing effects. Wockhardt Regenerative Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India has developed a kit known as Ossinext™ which has an advantage over traditional PRP in that it eliminates RBCs and WBCs. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular injection of Wockhardt's Ossinext™ an autologous growth factor concentrate (AGFC) versus HA in KOA. Male and female patients in the age group between 30 and 75 years with confirmed KOA on radiological assessment with Grades I-III on the Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale and with visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of 4 or more (on the numeric rating scale) in spite of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) since past 2 weeks were considered for study participation. This was an open-labeled study and eligible patients were randomly allocated to AGFC or HA in a 1:1 fashion. Three intra-articular injections were given in the affected knee joint, i.e. at baseline, month 1, and month 2 visits. Patients were evaluated at regular intervals, i.e. at months 5, 8, and 11 for primary and secondary endpoints. The primary efficacy endpoint for this study was change from baseline in WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scores at month 11 whereas the secondary efficacy endpoints were change from baseline of VAS pain scale at months 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 as well as change from baseline of WOMAC, KOOS (Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome System), and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) scale at month 5, 8, and 11. For analysis a mixed model for repeated measures was used. Out of the 100 patients who were enrolled, 50 patients each were randomized to AGFC and HA arm. The results were analyzed from 99 patients (49 for AGFC and 50 for HA) who met the criteria for the modified intent to treat (mITT) population. At month 11 on the WOMAC scale, there was greater improvement seen with Ossinext™ compared to HA group which was also statistically significant with p-value of 0.0332. Within the group, there was statistically significant improvement before and after treatment in all scales, i.e.WOMAC, KOOS, IKDC, and VAS at all time points, i.e. months 5, 8, and 11 with a p-value as low as <0.0001. Within the group, the VAS score showed statistically significant improvement even at months 1 and 2 as well. A total of 24 patients reported 37 adverse events (AEs) during the study, most common being pain, pyrexia and swelling but none of the AEs reported during the study were considered as severe in intensity. There were no safety concerns reported. In conclusion, greater and statistically significant improvement was seen with Ossinext™ in WOMAC scores at month 11 compared to HA. Ossinext™ also showed marked statistically significant improvement from before treatment to after treatment in the WOMAC, KOOS, IKDC, and VAS scales used for the assessment of KOA with a p-value as low as <0.0001. Ossinext™ was also safe and well-tolerated.

Variability in Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparations Used in Regenerative Medicine: A Comparative Analysis.

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its derivatives are used in several aesthetic, dental, and musculoskeletal procedures. Their efficacy is primarily due to the release of various growth factors (GF), interleukins, cytokines, and white blood cells. However, the PRP preparation methods are highly variable, and studies lack consistency in reporting complete procedures to prepare PRP and characterize PRP and its derivatives. Also, all the tissue-specific (in vivo and in vitro) interactions and functional properties of the various derivatives/factors of the PRP have not been taken into consideration by any study so far. This creates a potential space for further standardization of the PRP preparation methods and customization of PRP/PRP derivatives targeted at tissue-specific/pathology specific requirements that would enable efficacious and widely acceptable usage of PRP as main therapy, rather than being used as adjuvant therapy. The main objective of our study was to investigate the variability in PRP preparation methods and to analyze their efficacy and reliability. Method This study considered articles published in the last 5 years, highlighting the variability in their PRP preparation methods and characterization of PRP. Following the PRISMA protocol, we selected 13 articles for the study. The selected articles were assessed using NHLBI quality assessment tool. Results We noted differences in (1) approaches to producing PRP, (2) extent of characterization of PRP, (3) small scale and large-scale preparation methods, (4) in vitro and in vivo studies. Conclusion We identified two studies describing the procedures which are simple, reproducible, economical, provide a good yield of platelets, and therefore can be considered methods for further tissue-specific and pathology-specific standardizations of PRP and its derivatives. We recommend further randomized studies to understand the full therapeutic potential of the constituents of PRP and its derivatives.