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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Lower Limb » Flexor Tendinitis » |
Discussion on Research Summary: Platelet Rich Plasma and Tendon Healing | |
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Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 - 10:50 am: Here we present two papers that support the idea that injecting platelet rich plasma (PRP) into acute tendon injuries provides a benefit toward healing. Both research in humans and horses find a growing support for the use of PRP in acute and even some chronic soft tissue injuries. For more see the article on Flexor Tendinitis.DrO Vet Rec. 2008 Feb 16;162(7):208-11. Autologous platelet concentrates as a treatment for musculoskeletal lesions in five horses. Argüelles D, Carmona JU, Climent F, Muñoz E, Prades M. Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain. Two horses with acute tendinopathy of a superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and three horses with chronic proximal desmitis of the suspensory ligament (PDSL) were treated by injecting autologous concentrates of their platelets into the lesions. The lesions were monitored ultrasonographically and clinically. There were significant ultrasonographic and clinical improvements in the two horses with SDFT, but no ultrasonographic improvements in the horses with PDSL; however, they improved clinically and became less lame. All the horses had returned to their pre-injury level of performance by six months after the completion of the treatment, and none of them had suffered a recurrence after 20 months. J Orthop Res. 2006 Nov 14; Platelet rich plasma (PRP) enhances anabolic gene expression patterns in flexor digitorum superficialis tendons. Schnabel LV, Mohammed HO, Miller BJ, McDermott WG, Jacob son MS, Santangelo KS, Fortier LA. Department of Clinical Sciences, VMC C3-181, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has recently been investigated for use in tissue regeneration studies that seek to utilize the numerous growth factors released from platelet alpha-granules. This study examined gene expression patterns, DNA, and collagen content of equine flexor digitorum superficialis tendon (SDFT) explants cultured in media consisting of PRP and other blood products. Blood and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) were collected from horses and processed to obtain plasma, PRP, and platelet poor plasma (PPP). IGF-I, TGF-beta1, and PDGF-BB were quantified in all blood products using ELISA. Tendons were cultured in explant fashion with blood, plasma, PRP, PPP, or BMA at concentrations of 100%, 50%, or 10% in serum-free DMEM with amino acids. Quantitative RT-PCR for expression of collagen type I (COL1A1), collagen type III (COL3A1), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), decorin, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) was performed as were as DNA and total soluble collagen assays. TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB concentrations were higher in PRP compared to all other blood products tested. Tendons cultured in 100% PRP showed enhanced gene expression of the matrix molecules COL1A1, COL3A1, and COMP with no concomitant increase in the catabolic molecules MMP-3 and MMP-13. These findings support in vivo investigation of PRP as an autogenous, patient-side treatment for tendonitis. |