Usefulness of polydeoxyribonucleotide as an alternative to corticosteroids in patients with lateral epicondyitis: A case series

Polydeoxyribonucleotide in the Treatment of Tendon Disorders, from Basic Science to Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a proprietary and registered drug with several beneficial effects, including tissue repairing, anti-ischemic action, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aims to summarize the current evidence about PRDN's clinical effectiveness in the management of tendon disorders. From January 2015 to November 2022, OVID-MEDLINE^®, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched to identify relevant studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated, and relevant data were extracted. Nine studies (two in vivo studies and seven clinical studies) were finally included in this systematic review. Overall, 169 patients (male: 103) were included in the present study. The effectiveness and safeness of PDRN has been investigated in the management of the following diseases: plantar fasciitis; epicondylitis; Achilles tendinopathy; pes anserine bursitis; chronic rotator cuff disease. No adverse effects have been recorded in the included studies and all the patients showed an improvement in clinical symptoms during the follow-up. PDRN are a valid emerging therapeutic drug in the treatment of tendinopathies. Further multicentric randomized clinical studies are needed to better define the therapeutic role of PDRN, especially in combined clinical protocols.

Defibrotide suppresses brain metastasis by activating the adenosine A2A receptors

Brain metastasis is a devastating clinical condition globally as one of the most common central nervous system malignancies. The current study aimed to assess the effect of defibrotide, an Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, against brain metastasis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Two tumor cell lines with high brain metastasis potential, PC-9 and 231-BR, were subjected to defibrotide treatment of increasing dosage. The metastasis capacity of the tumor cells was evaluated by cell invasion and migration assays. Western blotting was employed to determine the levels of tight junction proteins in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) including Occludin, Zo-1, and Claudin-5, as well as metastasis-related proteins including CXCR4, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The in-vitro observations were further verified in nude mice, by monitoring the growth of xenograft tumors, mouse survival and brain metastasis foci following defibrotide treatment. Defibrotide inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and promotes lactate dehydrogenase release of brain metastatic tumor cells, elevated the levels of BBB tight junction proteins and metastasis-related proteins. Such beneficial role of defibrotide was mediated by its inhibitory action on the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling axis both in vitro and in vivo, as CXCR4 agonist SDF1α negated the anti-tumoral effect of defibrotide on mouse xenograft tumor growth, mouse survival and brain metastasis. Defibrotide inhibits brain metastasis through activating the adenosine A2A receptors, which in turn inhibits the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling axis. Our study hereby proposes defibrotide as a new and promising candidate drug against brain metastasis of multiple organ origins.

Comparison of the effectiveness of extensor muscle strengthening exercise by itself, exercise with polydeoxyribonucleotide injection, and exercise with extracorporeal shockwave therapy in lateral epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Extensor muscle strengthening exercises with counterforce braces (EX) is a conventional conservative treatment for lateral epicondylitis (LE) of the elbow. In addition, polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been recently used for LE.

Methods

Sixty-three patients with chronic LE participated in this study and randomly allocated in three groups (G1: EX, G2: EX+PDRN injection, and G3: EX+ESWT). All of the three groups were taught to perform EX at the first out-patient department (OPD) visit. Group 2 was injected with 3 mL PDRN (5.625 mg/3 mL), while group 3 received ESWT at the first OPD visit. Visual analog scale pain score, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), and ultrasonographic examination were checked before, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatments.

Results

Overall functional scores and ultrasonographic findings in all three groups improved after treatment. The mean MEPS in group 2 improved more than groups 1 and 3 at 6 weeks (G1, 56.9>62.4; G2, 54.3>65.0; G3, 55.7>62.6), and more than group 1 at 12 weeks (G1, 56.9>67.9; G2, 54.3>73.6). The mean common extensor tendon depth (CETD) on ultrasonography in group 2 increased more than groups 1 and 3 at 6 and 12 weeks (6 weeks: G1, 0.385>0.386; G2, 0.332>0.392; G3, 0.334>0.357; 12 weeks: G1, 0.385>0.409; G2, 0.332>0.438; G3, 0.334>0.405 [cm]).

Conclusions

PDRN injections combined with EX exhibited a greater improvement in mean MEPS and mean CETD compared to EX only or EX combined with ESWT for LE within the 12 weeks follow-up.

Applications of Marine Organism-Derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide: Its Potential in Biomedical Engineering

Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) are a family of DNA-derived drugs with a molecular weight ranging from 50 to 1500 kDa, which are mainly extracted from the sperm cells of salmon trout or chum salmon. Many pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties of PDRN, which are mediated by the activation of adenosine A2A receptor and salvage pathways, in addition to promoting osteoblast activity, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis. In fact, PDRN is already marketed due to its therapeutic properties against various wound healing- and inflammation-related diseases. Therefore, this review assessed the most recent trends in marine organism-derived PDRN using the Google Scholar search engine. Further, we summarized the current applications and pharmacological properties of PDRN to serve as a reference for the development of novel PDRN-based technologies.

Does polydeoxyribonucleotide has an effect on patients with tendon or ligament pain?: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pain in the tendons or ligaments is extremely common, accounting for 30% of the causes of visiting general practitioners. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is emerging as a new treatment for musculoskeletal pain. However, the effects of PDRN in patients with tendon or ligament pain are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of PDRN in patients with tendon or ligament pain through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases of all articles on PDRN treatment for patients with tendon or ligament pain published in the English language from inception until January 31, 2020. The search identified 262 citations.

RESULTS

One randomized controlled trial and 3 retrospective observational studies were included. Pain due to tendon or ligament disorders showed significant improvement after PDRN injection (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.80 to -1.06, P < .00001). In the subanalysis of patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy-induced pain significantly improved (SMD = -2.34, 95% CI = -3.61 to -1.07, P = .0003) after PDRN injection. However, there was no difference in shoulder pain and disability index score and strength of shoulder abduction in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy (shoulder pain and disability index score, SMD = 1.16, 95% CI = -1.20 to 3.52, P = .34; strength of shoulder abduction, SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = -0.03 to 0.88, P = .07).

CONCLUSION

Effective pain relief was achieved in patients with tendon or ligament disorders after PDRN injection. To more precisely determine this effect, a meta-analysis with a larger number of clinical trials is warranted.

Conservative Treatment of Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries or tendinopathy is a common painful and disabling conditions resulting from overuse and aging. Tendinopathy remains a challenging clinical problem because response to different treatment modalities is usually unsatisfactory and recovery is slow. We performed an extensive literature review focusing on nonsurgical treatment options for tendinopathies, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid, eccentric exercise, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, polydeoxyribonucleotide, and stem cells, aimed at providing the most updated evidence as a guideline for caregivers.

Shock-wave therapy versus corticosteroid injection on lateral epicondylitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Shock-wave (SW) therapy has been widely promoted and proven to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of lateral epicondylitis (LE) during recent years. Corticosteroid (CS) injection is another common treatment of LE, and several researches have documented its significant effect in the treatment of LE. Despite this, few studies have focused on comparing the use of SW and CS in the treatment of LE. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess whether SW is superior to CS in managing LE, both in terms of ameliorating pain and improving functionality. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify relevant articles that were published in Pubmed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, Clinical Trials.gov and OVID from the databases' inception to December 2018. All studies comparing the efficacy of SW and CS in terms of pain levels and functionality improvement were included. Data on the two primary outcomes were collected and analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3. Results: Four studies were included in the current meta-analysis. A significant difference in VAS score (SMD = 1.13, Cl 0.72-1.55 P < 0.00001, I² = 0) was noted between the SW group and the CS group. Furthermore, Significant difference was also seen in the term of grip strength (including HGS and GSS scoring system) (SMD = -1.42, Cl -1.85--0.98 P < 0.00001, I² = 0). Conclusions: In light of the better improvement in the terms of VAS and grip strength with follow-up more than 12 weeks, we assume that SW may be a superior alternative for the treatment of LE.

Ultrasound-guided peri-brachial plexus polydeoxyribonucleotide injection for a patient with postherpetic brachial plexopathy: A case report

RATIONALE

Although most complications of herpes zoster (HZ) are associated with the spread of varicella-zoster virus from the initially involved sensory ganglion, motor nerve impairment, such as limb weakness, is a rare but severe complication that is difficult to treat.

PATIENT CONCERN

A 73-year-old female presented with sudden left upper limb pain and weakness after HZ.

DIAGNOSIS

Brachial plexopathy following HZ (postherpetic brachial plexopathy).

INTERVENTION

Despite alleviation of the vesicles with antiviral treatments, the left upper limb weakness and neuropathic pain did not improve. After obtaining patient's consent, ultrasound-guided polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injection was performed around the left brachial plexus.

OUTCOMES

The patient showed marked improvement in left arm pain from numerical rating scale (NRS) 9 to 4, 1 day after PDRN injection. Subsequently, the pain improved to NRS 3, and motor weakness improved to Medical Research Council grade 2 to 4.

LESSONS

PDRN can be considered a viable substitute for corticosteroid injection in treatment of motor weakness and neuropathic pain after HZ.