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 was a particularly slow month for research publications, which means it's officially summer time. Nonetheless, we some very interesting papers including PRP for the treatment of severe COVID-19, supporting applications of BMAC, and case reports of PRP + Adipose for hair loss. Let's dive in.
Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Autologous Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma (aaPRP) in the Treatment of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients
International Journal of Inflammation // Level of Evidence: 3
Severe COVID-19 is often characterized by an increase in proinflammatory cytokine production that leads to cytokine storm or cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (aaPRP) contains various types of growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines that may have the potential to suppress CRS. In this study, a total of 10 severe COVID-19 patients from Koja Regional Public Hospital (Koja RPH) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). All patients received intravenous aaPRP three times and the authors reported that the need for invasive mechanical ventilation decreased following administration of aaPRP.
This may not be a massive breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, but considering PRP's ease of preparation and availability, it can certainly help increase access to COVID-19 treatment in developing nations.
ACCESS HERE: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/iji/2021/5531873/
The Effect of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate on Clinical Results Used with Open Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine // Level of Evidence: 2
Medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy is a widely used treatment method for early stages of medial compartment osteoarthritis, particularly in the middle aged patients. In this study, authors evaluated the effect of, if any, simultaneous use of BMAC with high tibial osteotomy. In the group receiving BMAC + HTO, the authors observed statistically significant improvement at all time points over the control group (HTO).
ACCESS HERE:
Platelet-Rich Plasma Hybridized Adipose Transplant (PHAT) for the treatment of Hair Loss: A Case Series
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery // Level of Evidence: 4
Both PRP and Fat Grafting to the scalp have emerged as popular therapies for the treatment of hair loss. This case series explores the combination of high concentration PRP with lipoaspirate (fat graft) to enhance patient outcomes. The limited case series provides a strong basis for further investigation via preliminary results, and the technique is not unlike what we have seen be successful in sports medicine for combining PRP with lipoaspirate for treating degenerative conditions like knee OA.
Outcomes of iliac crest bone marrow aspirate injection for the treatment of recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy
International Orthopaedics // Level of Evidence: 4
Achilles tendinopathy is a common and debilitating conditions that is not always responsive to conservative therapy. While PRP is an option, BMA injections may provide a stronger benefit through the inclusion of mesenchymal stem cells and their regenerative potential. In this retrospective case series, a review was conducted of patients with refractory Achilles tendinopathy treated with iliac crest BMA concentrate injection.
Overall, there was trending improvement over the 48-week follow-up period and authors concluded that the patients demonstrated and maintained statistically significant decrease in NRS pain score post-operatively with no complications at the donor or injection site.
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
This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and any related subjects. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of MDBiologix. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if any treatment is right for you.
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