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 have a few studies looking at different PRP preparations in hair restoration procedures, PRP for CMC OA, and evidence supporting PRP in various Foot & Ankle pathologies.
Let's dive in!
Effect of platelet counts and activator in platelet-rich plasma on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, split-head comparison: A randomised, double-blind study
Indian Journal of Dermatology // LOI: l
This randomised, split-head RCT should help elucidate the importance of both platelet count, and potentially platelet activation, in the efficacy of hair restoration procedures.
Authors treated a total of 80 patients with either activated (10% CaCL) or non-activated PRP. PRP was prepared using a double-spin protocol and patient groups were further stratified by platelet count in the final preparation. This generally ranged from 3x, 3-5x, >5x baseline.
The result? Activated platelet-rich plasma produced significant improvement of hair density after four months and hair thickness at 6 months. An increase in platelet count led to a significant increase in hair density and hair thickness after three and four months respectively and a highly significant increase in both parameters at the end of the study.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2022.100163
Platelet-rich plasma injection for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis
Rehabilitiation Research and Clinical Translation // LOE: ll
Evidence supporting PRP in CMC arthritis is limited in efficacy. Mostly, this is due to improper platelet preparation. The CMC joint is only able to accommodate a small volume of injectate, so platelet concentration within the preparation is critical to ensure an adequate dose is delivered. What is the appropriate dose? Let's find one possible answer:
This study assessed the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection among patients with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA). Nineteen adults (average age 65.0 (±6.3 years) received a PRP injection for osteoarthritis, a total of 33 thumbs. The average concentration of the final PRP product was 8.8x above baseline and characterized as LR-PRP.
The subjects reported moderate or excellent symptom improvement in 68.8% of injected joints and were moderately or very satisfied with 68.8% of the procedures. Mean patient-reported duration of benefit was 15.6 months (±19.5) months (mean duration of follow-up: 32.4 (±18.1) months).
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100257
Advances in the Clinical Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Foot and Ankle: A Review
Journal of Clinical Medicine // LOE: IV
This review thoroughly details all the available, high-quality evidence, supporting the use of PRP in Foot and Ankle. More specifically, it's applications in:
Fracture
Osteoarticular joint fusion
Osteoarthritis
Achilles tendon disease
Cartilage and osteochondral lesions of the talus
Plantar fasciitis
And diabetic foot ulcers
Authors indicate what type of PRP is used (LR-PRP vs. LP-PRP) if that information is available, but failed to indicate the dose of PRP. However, readers should find plenty of relevant information in this text when assessing evidence across multiple F&A pathologies.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12031002
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
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