The association of platelet-rich plasma + hyaluronic acid has the same efficacy of platelet-rich plasma only, administered in higher volume. We may infer that hyaluronic acid works synergically and improves the activity of several molecules contained in platelet-rich plasma.
Platelet rich plasma has been used in the treatment of tendinopathies, but the sonographic modifications of tendons have received less attention. In this paper we report the results of an ultrasound evaluation, performed during and after plasma injection, in patients with tendinopathy. The sonographic abnormalities and neovascularization were registered in twenty tendons. Three plasma injections (once a week) were performed, and a rehabilitation program was recommended. Pain and patients' satisfaction were evaluated. During the injections plasma spread along the collagen fibers, and an intratendineous cleft produced by the injected volume was observed. At 12 months two tendons regained a normal echotexture, while neovessels were absent in seven. The remaining tendons showed less abnormalities and neovascularization in comparison with baseline. The clinical improvement was earlier and more consistent. The discrepancy between the ultrasound and clinical results may be explained by the peculiar modalities of tendon healing induced by plasma administration.
Platelet rich plasma has been used in the treatment of tendinopathies, but the sonographic modifications of tendons have received less attention. In this paper we report the results of an ultrasound evaluation, performed during and after plasma injection, in patients with tendinopathy. The sonographic abnormalities and neovascularization were registered in twenty tendons. Three plasma injections (once a week) were performed, and a rehabilitation program was recommended. Pain and patients' satisfaction were evaluated. During the injections plasma spread along the collagen fibers, and an intratendineous cleft produced by the injected volume was observed. At 12 months two tendons regained a normal echotexture, while neovessels were absent in seven. The remaining tendons showed less abnormalities and neovascularization in comparison with baseline. The clinical improvement was earlier and more consistent. The discrepancy between the ultrasound and clinical results may be explained by the peculiar modalities of tendon healing induced by plasma administration.
Amniotic fluid represents a new and promising source of engraftable stem cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) on chondrogenic or osteogenic differentiation potential. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from women undergoing amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis at 16–18 weeks of pregnancy. Undifferentiated human AFSCs were cocultured with PRP for 14 days. The study includes two protocols investigating the effects of activated PRP using two different methods: via freeze–thaw cycles and via the addition of calcium gluconate. On the 14th day of culturing, the differentiation potential of the cocultured AFSCs was then compared with undifferentiated AFSCs. Staining with alcian blue solution (ABS) and alizarine red solution (ARS) was performed, and chondrogenic- and osteogenic-associated genes markers were investigated. ABS demonstrated enhanced glycosaminoglycan expression. Cocultured cells expressed chondrocyte-associated genes, determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), including type I collagen, type II collagen, COMP, and aggrecan. In regard to the osteogenic markers, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein, there were no changes. In particular, the activation of PRP using the freeze–thaw cycle protocol showed a higher expression of the chondrogenic markers. Our preliminary in vitro results showed that PRP has good potential in the chondrogenic differentiation of AFSCs.
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