Welcome to the Regenerative Research Roundup, where we look through recently published research and bring you the best of the best in a quick-to-read digest.
This month, we're focusing on new research regarding PRP in androgenic hair loss, safety of adipose-derived MSC's, and orthobiologics vs. HA in knee OA.
Comparison of 5% minoxidil lotion monotherapy versus its combination with autologous platelet rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia in hundred males
The use of PRP in the treatment of androgenic alopecia is rising in popularity, mostly on the back of anecdotal clinician reports. Topically applied minoxidil is widely regarded as the standard of care and this research paper provides valuable insight into how PRP can improve outcomes when used in combination.
100 patients with AGA were selected and divided randomly into 2 treatment arms: Group A (MM): received topical 5% Minoxidil monotherapy for 12 months and; Group B (M + PRP): received combination therapy of PRP and topical 5% Minoxidil for 12 months.
The combination of treatment arm was statistically superior to the monotherapy group in promoting hair growth in men with AGA for both measures of hair growth – photographic assessment and trichoscopic mean diameter.
Injection of Autologous Mesenchymal Cells for the Treatment of Arthritis has so far been Found to be Completely Safe
While autologous biologics, including MSC's from adipose-tissue and/or bone marrow aspirate are widely regarded as safe for injection. It is always beneficial to revisit the growing body of literature to verify this.
This study looked at the injection of MSC's from multiple sources - as stromal vascular fraction, culture expanded adipose derived stem cells, minimally manipulated fat graft, bone marrow aspirate or cultured bone marrow MSCs.
2,011 reported injections were found. No stem cell specific adverse events were identified. Specifically no infections, tumorigenesis, or chondrolysis from collagenase were found.
ACCESS HERE: https://europepmc.org/article/med/33655846
Intra-Articular Injections of Platelet-rich plasma, Adipose mesenchymal stem cells and Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells Associated With Better Outcomes than Hyaluronic acid and Saline in Knee Osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Orthobiologics vs. standard of care in Knee OA continues. This time, the Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery serves up a review of L1 & L2 evidence on the impact of various orthobiological interventions compared with viscosupplementation and/or saline controls.
What the authors found was that AD-MSCs relieve pain the best. However, LP-PRP was most effective for functional improvement. HA viscosupplementation clinical efficacy was lower than that of biological agents during follow-up. Orthobiologics win again!
If you have any questions or comments regarding the above research, or are wondering how you can apply it to your regenerative practice, please leave a comment below or shoot me an email at cdowns@mdbiologix.com
Cheers!
Connor
Complete References:
Ray R, Sharma A. Comparison of 5% minoxidil lotion monotherapy versus its combination with autologous platelet rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia in hundred males. Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2021 Feb. ISSN 0377-1237.
Prodromos C, Rumschlag T. Injection of Autologous Mesenchymal Cells for the Treatment of Arthritis has so far been Found to be Completely Safe. Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2021 Feb. DOI: 10.2174/1574888x16666210224145104.
Zhao D, Pan J, Yang W, Han Y, Zeng L, Liang G, Liu J. Intra-Articular Injections of Platelet-rich plasma, Adipose mesenchymal stem cells and Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells Associated With Better Outcomes than Hyaluronic acid and Saline in Knee Osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. 2021 Mar. ISSN 0749-8063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2021.02.045.
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