Welcome to the Regenerative Research Roundup, where we look through recently published research and bring you the best of the best in an easy to read digest.
Thisregenerative-research-roundup-march month, we're focusing on new research regarding Bone Marrow Aspirate v. PRP; and the clinical use of PRP in joint disease, neuropathic disease and aesthetics.
Platelet-rich plasma vs bone marrow aspirate concentrate: An overview of mechanisms of action and orthobiologic synergistic effects
This article was sent to me by a colleague who received it from Dr. Joe Purita; co-author and leader in the field of regenerative orthobiologics. While primarily a literature review, it provides a helpful dive into the distinct mechanisms of action for both PRP and BMAC, as well as where and how they act synergistically with each other.
With PRP now a mainstay in the toolbox of orthobiologic practitioners, and BMA (and ADSC's for that matter) increasing in popularity, we're seeing more research into how these biologics may work together to accelerate healing.
ACCESS HERE: https://dx.doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v13.i2.155
Clinical Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Its Association With Growth Factors in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial
Head-to-head, Level 1 evidence evaluating PRP vs HA in a total of 110 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Treatment protocol was a single injection of LR-PRP or HA with follow up at 6 week, 3 months and 6 months.
PRP offered statistically significant improvement over HA for primary endpoint (IKDC), with mixed results for secondary endpoints (VAS, WOMAC). What's interesting about this study was that they measured concentrations of growth factors and platelets to correlate with outcomes, finding (unsurprisingly) that higher values drive patient outcomes.
ACCESS HERE: 10.1177/0363546520986867
Synergistic Effects of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid Injections on Facial Skin Rejuvenation
Our aesthetic practitioners will appreciate this one. Investigators led a randomized controlled prospective study with 93 eligible patients randomized into three intervention groups receiving three treatments every 4 weeks of:
(a) PRP
(b) HA or
(c) PRP-HA injected on facial cheeks.
Treatment with PRP-HA led to a very significant improvement in the overall facial appearance and skin elasticity compared to groups treated with PRP and HA alone (p<0.0001). The PRP-HA solution was combined in equal amounts prior to injection.
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab061
One-year efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for moderate-to-severe carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
This is a highly relevant piece of Level 1 evidence for a neuropathic disease that is becoming increasingly common in gen pop.
52 wrists (26 patients) were treated with either a single dose of PRP vs. saline. Compared to the control group, the PRP group exhibited significant improvements in primary endpoint (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire; BCTQ) severity scores at all time-points; BCTQ functional scores at the 6th month; and 18 cross-sectional area at the 12th month post-injection (P<0.0125).
ACCESS HERE: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2020.12.025
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:
Lana JFSD, da Fonseca LF, Macedo RDR, Mosaner T, Murrell W, Kumar A, Purita J, de Andrade MAP. Platelet-rich plasma vs bone marrow aspirate concentrate: An overview of mechanisms of action and orthobiologic synergistic effects. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13(2): 155-167.
Park YB, Kim JH, Ha CW, Lee DH. Clinical Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Its Association With Growth Factors in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial As Compared With Hyaluronic Acid. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;49(2):487-496.
Hersant B, Ahmed-Mezi S, Aboud C, Niddam J, Levy S, Mernier T, La Padula S, Meningaud JP. Synergistic Effects of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid Injections on Facial Skin Rejuvenation, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2021.
Chen SR, Shen YP, Ho TY, Li TY, Su YC, Chou YC, Chen LC, Wu YT. One-year efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for moderate-to-severe carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2021.
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