Platelets (Feb 2019)

Injectable-platelet rich fibrin using the low speed centrifugation concept improves cartilage regeneration when compared to platelet-rich plasma

  • Mustafa Abd El Raouf,
  • Xuzhu Wang,
  • Si Miusi,
  • Jihua Chai,
  • Abdel Basit Mohamed AbdEl-Aal,
  • Mekkawy M. Nefissa Helmy,
  • Shahram Ghanaati,
  • Joseph Choukroun,
  • Elisa Choukroun,
  • Yufeng Zhang,
  • Richard J Miron

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537104.2017.1401058
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 2
pp. 213 – 221

Abstract

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) on cultivated chondrocytes and osteochondral regeneration in critical-sized osteochondral defect of the rabbit’s knee in comparison to autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Chondrocytes were first investigated for their ability to proliferate and differentiate in response to PRP and i-PRF. Thereafter, full-thickness critical-sized osteochondral defects 5 mm in diameter and 5 mm in depth were created in the knee joint of 12 adult female New Zealand White rabbits. Defects were regenerated with either PRP or i-PRF and compared to control. Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively and evaluated histologically by macroscopic and microscopic examination for cartilage regeneration. i-PRF significantly promoted chondrocyte proliferation and mRNA levels of Sox9, collagen type II, and aggrecan when compared to PRP and control. Histological analysis revealed that at 4 weeks, macroscopic ICRS scores from the i-PRF group were significantly enhanced when compared to the PRP and control groups. At 12 weeks post surgery, the microscopic ICRS scores demonstrated that the i-PRF group significantly improved cartilage regeneration when compared to PRP. In conclusion, the use of i-PRF using the low speed centrifugation concept significantly promoted chondrocyte activity and further improved cartilage regeneration when compared to PRP. The histological results revealed early and better cartilage regeneration within 4 weeks postoperatively when i-PRF was utilized and the results were maintained at 12 weeks. Future clinical studies are now needed investigating the regenerative potential of i-PRF in comparison to PRP for knee regeneration.

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