Thursday, October 11, 2007

Knee Cartilage Cell Stimulation with Platelet Rich Plasma, Warsaw Poland, Oct 07'


Effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the metabolism of human articular chondrocytes
K. Nakagawa1, T. Sasho1, M. Arai1, S. Kitahara1, S. Ogino1, Y. Wada2, H. Moriya1; 1Chiba/JP, 2Ichihara/JP

Purpose

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of plasma in which platelets are concentrated and is reported to be utilized as a source of multiple growth factors. Recent basic studies have shown that allogenic PRP has a promotive effect on chondrocyte metabolism. For the clinical application of PRP to cartilage defects, it is essential to use autologuous prepared PRP in each case. The purpose of this study was to examnie the effect of autologous PRP on adult human chondrocytes.
Methods and Materials
Fresh blood (54ml) and cartilage tissue were obtained from three patients (mean age: 70y.o.) underwent total knee arthroplasty with their consent. Platelet poor plasma (PPP) and PRP were prepared using a platelet concentration system. Chondrocytes were isolated with enzymatic digestion and cultured in monolayer. WST-8 was used for cell proliferation assay. Gene expression of types I, II collagen and aggrecan were examined with a relative quantitative real time RT-PCR assay.
Results
The concentrations of PDGF and TGF-beta1 in the PRP were much higher than those in the PPP. The WST-8 assay showed a higher absorbency in the PRP group, which reflects an enhancement of cell proliferation. PRP significantly enhanced type II collagen synthesis by human chondrocytes, while their aggrecan synthesis was inhibited.
Conclusions
We demonstrated for the first time that autologous PRP stimulated proliferation and collagen synthesis of adult human chondrocytes. PRP is easy to prepare and utilize as both soluble platelet releasate and fibrin gel. The results of this study suggested the usefulness of autologous PRP for the treatment of cartilage defects.


ICRS - International Cartilage Repair Society. http://www.cartilage.org/

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