Properties Of Platelet-rich Plasma Research Articles

Experimental assessment of regenerative properties of platelet rich plasma on the human skin - a review

Several studies demonstrated the favorable effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the skin and promoted its wide use in clinical practice. The growth factors stored in platelet alfa-granules allow for the tissue regeneration and the main fields of application of PRP in current clinical practice are the cartilage and musculoskeletal defects, osteoarthritis and other bone disorders, chronic and difficult to heal wounds, and aesthetic procedures. The relevant number of different PRP preparation protocols may explain the inconsistency of the different clinical outcomes reported in the literature. Despite the technological advances in PRP preparation, the objective assessment of the clinical efficacy of PRP from the literature reports still is difficult due to the low homogeneity of the samples in terms of both inclusion criteria and size. Therefore, it might be useful to establish standardized and reproducible experimental models to confirm and objectively measure the effectiveness of the available clinical results. Many experimental investigations have been carried out to objectively assess the effectiveness of PRP and platelet gel on several tissues. As far as the skin is concerned, the studies carried out to date are limited to fibroblasts in in-vitro culture models or to collagen, vascular supply, epithelium, and hair follicle in in-vivo models. The skin, however, is a very complex organ, where different cell lines coexist and feature complex mutual interaction. A model that combines the advantages of both in-vitro and in-vivo cultures is the ex-vivo model. The demonstration of the platelet derived growth factors effects through the ex-vivo human full-thickness skin culture model is a keystone to support the evidence of the PRP effectiveness, as it represents an objective, fast, reproducible, and ethical investigational method.

Role of Alpha-2-Microglobulin in the Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: a Brief Review of the Literature.

Chronic knee pain remains a debilitating condition that remains difficult to manage. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to summarize current understanding of alpha-2-microglobulin in the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain. Furthermore, we investigate its role in the anti-inflammatory properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Alpha-2-microglobulin, a 720-kD protein complex, is an active protease inhibitor with tremendous anti-inflammatory properties in animal models. A growing body of evidence suggests that this complex is the most instrumental factor for cartilage preservation in PRP injections. As an active component of platelet-rich plasma's anti-inflammatory properties, alpha-2-microglobulin has been shown to be an active inhibitor of joint degeneration, cartilage preservation, and improvement in quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with a multitude of other modalities.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma application for the optimization of bone tissue reparative regeneration in osteopenia

Objective: analysis of scientific literature on the effectiveness of using Plateled-Rich Plasma to optimize the treatment of compression fractures of vertebral bodies of thoracic and lumbar localization against the background of postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis. All the methods of using Platelet-Rich Plasma, described in the literature, can be divided into several main groups. Platelet-Rich Plasma can be mixed with bone material; is applied to the lesion site before application of bone material; is applied over the bone material; used as a biological membrane. Platelet-Rich Plasma contain fibrillar and cellular components and is able to act as a carrier of cells which are important for the regeneration of soft and bony tissues. It can strengthen the attachment of human osteoblasts to membranes and, as a consequence, induce osteogenesis. Many authors are the supporters of the stimulating effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on reparative osteogenesis. After injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the case of complicated fracture the following was observed: odema in the damaged tissues is less pronounced, there are less signs of acute and chronic inflammation, the phase of alteration is changing more quickly by regenerative-reparative processes. The natural clot contains fibrin, fibronectin and vitronectin, they are also called adhesion molecules necessary for cell migration, osteoconduction, epithelialization and osseointegration. Biological properties of Platelet-Rich Plasma are due not only to the presence of growth factors (TGF-β and PDGF), but without them it immediately induces the formation of a fibrin clot, followed by stimulation of cell adhesion and collagen synthesis. Conclusion. Based on the published literature, a high potential of plasma therapy by Platelet-Rich Plasma for bone tissue regeneration is demonstrated. No adequate clinical studies on the effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy that would meet all modern criteria have yet been conducted. Therapy of Platelet-Rich Plasma is a promising branch in medicine and deserves further research in terms of new effective and safe method of application in medical practice.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Rinses for the Treatment of Non-Responding Oral Lichen Planus: A Case Report.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed for different applications in the medical field and in maxillofacial surgery thanks to its many growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a disease that affects the oral mucosa in a chronic way. This disease frequently worsens the quality of life of patients, particularly when clinical manifestations are of the erythematous or erosive/ulcerative type. The properties of PRP that are supported by scientific literature in both oral medicine and other medical fields have suggested the introduction of PRP in clinical practice for the medical treatment of different soft tissues diseases, such as when OLP patients do not respond to conventional therapies, or when conventional treatments have some contraindications or side effects. The aim of this work is to describe the use of PRP used as an oral rinse for the treatment of a patient diagnosed as affected by OLP at the Dentistry, Special Needs and Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit of the Hospital of Piacenza. PRP protocol was started after the failure of conventional therapies based on the use of topical and systemic corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, and low-level laser therapy applications.

Antimicrobial Effects of Platelet-rich Plasma against Selected Oral and Periodontal Pathogens.

Antimicrobial properties of platelet rich plasma (PRP) against various microorganisms have been recently pointed out. PRP could be an alternative to conventional antibiotics in preventing oral and periodontal infections. We examined whether PRP has in vitro antimicrobial properties against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prophyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were obtained from whole blood of 10 healthy volunteers and 10 periodontitis patients. In vitro laboratory susceptibility was carried out using the modified agar diffusion method by measuring the diameters of inhibition zones on agar plates coated with selected microbial strains. Both calcium chloride (CaCl2) activated and non activated samples were tested. Both activated PRP and PPP, of both patients and controls, effectively inhibited the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and C. albicans. However, a statistically significant difference in favor of PRP was found indicating more susceptibility to PRP than PPP (p < 0.05). Non activated PRP and PPP exhibited negative zones of inhibition against the studied microorganisms. There was no activity against S. aureus. No statistically significant difference was found between the antimicrobial effects of PRP and/or PPP obtained from patients and controls (p > 0.05). We conclude that PRP is a potentially useful substance against oral and periodontal pathogens. Activated PRP was found to be more active than activated PPP and the activation of coagulation is a fundamental step. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of PRP and/or PPP seems not to be affected by periodontitis.

To Evaluate Antimicrobial Properties of Platelet Rich Plasma and Source of Colonization in Pressure Ulcers in Spinal Injury Patients

Background. Exposure of pressure ulcers (PrUs), particularly to urine and feces, leads to increased colonization of wounds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the source of microbial colonization and antimicrobial properties of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in controlling it in PrUs.Methods. Twenty-five patients of spinal cord injury (SCI) with at least two PrUs were taken for the study. Local application of autologous PRP on one PrU (case) was compared with saline dressing on the other PrU (control). Urine cultures, urethral meatus, PrUs, and perineal swabs were taken at weekly interval for five weeks.Result. Colonization rate of PrUs (case) decreased from 92% at enrollment to 24% at the 5th week but did not significantly decrease in PrUs (control) from enrollment (84%) to the 5th week (76%). Association between PrU (case) and perineal cultures was observed forStaphylococcus aureusat enrollment 41% (χ2=6.76,P<0.01) and at the 2nd week 47% (χ2=5.83,P<0.05). 47% association between PrU (control) and perineal cultures at enrollment (χ2=4.11,P<0.05) and 29% association at the 2nd week (χ2=8.41,P<0.01) were observed forStaphylococcus aureus. There was association between bacteria present in perineum/urine and those colonizing PrUs.Conclusion. There is a significant association between PrUs colonization and bacteria present in local environment (urine and feces). Local application of autologous PRP changes the “biological milieu” of the PrUs through its antimicrobial properties leading to reduction in bacterial colonization.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation in Rotator Cuff Surgery: State of Art

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may influence tendon healing thanks to the role of platelets in chemotaxis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Biological properties of PRP may vary as a consequence of different composition characteristics. PRP healing potentiality has been analyzed in animal studies on tendinopathy. However, the rotator cuff model has never been used. In contrast, PRP has been used in clinical studies to enhance the healing process after repair procedure of rotator cuff tears. To date, only 3 randomized controlled trials have been performed. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to demonstrate PRP clinical benefits.

Platelet-rich plasma as a scaffold for injectable soft-tissue augmentation

A recent paper in Cytotherapy presented an interesting soft-tissue augmentation technique that caught our attention. We believe that the method is creative but complicated to practice. We note that the authors used platelet-rich plasma (PRP) solely as the source of growth factors. In fact, PRP itself can serve as a scaffold to carry cells. Considering the unique properties of PRP, we propose an alternative technique that may not only simplify the procedure but also yield promising results. The specific reasons are explained in this letter. In addition, we comment on the use of heparin as an anticoagulant for PRP production.