Therapeutic Potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Canine Medicine

A novel surgical technique for cranial cruciate ligament repair in dogs using autologous lateral digital extensor muscle tendon graft combined with platelet-rich plasma: A preliminary experimental study

Background and Aim

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) injuries are a prevalent orthopedic issue in dogs, typically managed through surgical interventions such as tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement. However, these techniques have limitations, including high costs and extended recovery periods. This study introduces an innovative CrCL repair method employing an autologous lateral digital extensor muscle tendon graft and evaluates the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tissue healing.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-four healthy, male, local-breed dogs were divided into two groups. Group A underwent the surgical procedure without PRP, while Group B received intra-articular PRP during surgery. Outcomes were evaluated through clinical assessments of lameness, post-operative complications, and histological analysis over 10, 20, 30, and 40 days.

Results

The PRP-treated group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in post-operative complication scores (p = 0.0025) and histological outcomes (p = 0.0002). However, graft maturation was unaffected by PRP treatment but improved over time (p = 0.0013). PRP-treated dogs exhibited faster recovery and enhanced tissue regeneration, with reduced inflammation and improved graft-bone attachment.

Conclusion

This novel surgical approach demonstrates significant potential for improving outcomes in CrCL repair by combining autologous tendon grafting with PRP. The technique offers reduced complications and enhanced healing, providing a promising alternative to traditional methods. Further studies are recommended to validate its efficacy in clinical settings.

Exploring the applications of platelet-rich plasma in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: evidence from goat and sheep experimental research

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in regenerative medicine. It contains various growth factors and bioactive molecules that play pivotal roles in tissue repair, regeneration, and inflammation modulation. This comprehensive narrative review delves into the therapeutic potential of PRP in experimental goat and sheep research, exploring recent advancements, challenges, and future prospects in the field. PRP has been explored for its application in musculoskeletal injuries, wound healing, and orthopedic conditions. Studies have demonstrated the ability of PRP to accelerate tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and improve the overall quality of healing. Recent advancements in PRP technology have led to the development of novel formulations and delivery methods to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. PRP has shown promise in tendon and ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and bone fractures in experimental goat and sheep research. Despite these advancements, several challenges and opportunities exist to harness the full therapeutic potential of PRP in regenerative medicine. Standardizing PRP preparation protocols, including blood collection techniques, centrifugation parameters, and activation methods, is essential to ensure consistency and reproducibility of the findings. Moreover, further research is needed to elucidate the optimal dosing, frequency, and timing of PRP administration for different clinical indications. Research conducted in goat and sheep models provides evidence supporting the translational potential of PRP in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. By harnessing the regenerative properties of PRP and leveraging insights from preclinical studies, researchers can develop innovative therapeutic strategies to address unmet clinical needs and improve patient outcomes in diverse medical specialties.

The effect of two platelet-rich plasma aspiration techniques on plasma cellular concentrations using a double syringe gravitational centrifugation system

OBJECTIVE

To identify which aspiration technique increased plasma platelet concentration and which technique minimized plasma leukocyte and erythrocyte concentrations using a gravitational double-syringe platelet rich plasma (PRP) system.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

ANIMALS

Thirty adult dogs.

METHODS

Whole blood was collected into two autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) syringes and an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA tube) (control samples). The ACP syringes were centrifuged for 5 min at 1500 rpm. The proximal 2 mL of plasma from one ACP syringe was deposited in an EDTA tube (preflash samples). Plasma from the second ACP syringe was withdrawn until the buffy coat was pierced, producing a "flash" of red blood cells, agitated and deposited into an EDTA tube (flash samples). Complete blood counts were performed.

RESULTS

Mean plasma platelet concentrations of the control, preflash, and flash samples were 2.4 × 105/dL, 3.3 × 105/dL and 4.1 × 105/dL, respectively. The mean platelet concentration of the flash samples was 7.9 × 104/dL higher than the preflash samples (p = .005). The mean platelet concentration was lower in the control samples than the preflash (p = .002) and flash (p < .0001) samples. The median plasma leukocyte concentration of the preflash samples (0/dL) was lower than in the flash samples (2.4 × 103/dL) (p = .001). The median plasma hematocrit value of the preflash samples (0%) was lower than in the flash samples (1.0%) (p = .002).

CONCLUSION

The flash method is not necessary to produce a PRP sample.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Both methods produced PRP. However, clinicians should avoid aspirating the buffy coat when processing PRP for therapies where leukocytes and erythrocytes are contraindicated.

Advances and prospects of platelet-rich plasma therapy in veterinary ophthalmology

In the recent decades, there has been a significant uptick on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a better alternative for ophthalmologic therapies in pathologies, primarily of the ocular surface. PRP is a class of liquid platelet concentrate containing a supra-physiological concentration of platelets in a relatively small amount of plasma. Its potential to heal various tissues has piqued interest in its therapeutic application as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine. It is currently a popular therapeutic agent in plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and even oral and maxillofacial surgery. Based on the data from in vitro and in vivo studies, it can be concluded that PRP possesses adequate therapeutic potential in ocular pathologies, especially those involving cornea. In addition, the high concentrations of growth factors (TGF-β, VEGF, EGF) present in the PRP accelerate the healing of the corneal epithelium. PRP has great therapeutic prospects in veterinary ophthalmology as a regenerative therapeutic modality. However, several variables are yet to be defined and standardized that can directly affect the efficacy of PRP application in different ophthalmic conditions. There is a shortage of research on the use of PRP in ocular surface defects compared to the number of studies and reports on the use of autologous and allogeneic serum eye drops. Therefore, a data-driven approach is required to generate consensus/guidelines for the preparation, characterization, and therapeutic use of PRP in veterinary ophthalmology. This review aims to inform readers of the latest research on PRP, including its preparation methods, physiological and biochemical properties, clinical applications in veterinary ophthalmology, and their safety and efficacy.

Effect of Leukoreduced Platelet Rich Plasma on Intra-Articular Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in a Canine Pilot Study

Simple Summary

This study provides initial information on the effect of platelet rich plasma in some of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines identified in osteoarthritic stifle joint in dogs. The use of platelet rich plasma is getting more popular in the veterinary field but its effect in those cytokines is not known.

Abstract

Evaluation of effect of Leukoreduced Platelet Rich Plasma (LrPRP) on TNF-α and IL-6 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) in joint fluid in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). Eight client-owned dogs with CCLR were assigned to treatment (2 mL LrPRP) or control (2 mL saline) injection groups. Day of evaluation (day 0) and day of surgery (day 10–14), joint fluid was collected and joint injected. Joint fluid was also collected on day of suture removal (day 20–28). TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations of joint fluid were measured using a bead-based antibody assay. Concentrations at the later time points were expressed as a ratio to the initial level within each stifle. LrPRP had a mean concentration of platelets 1.7 times higher that of whole blood on day of evaluation and 1.4 times higher on day of the surgery. Leukocytes were reduced by 99.7%. On day of surgery, TNF-α ratios in the joint fluid from dogs injected with LrPRP were significantly different that TNF-α ratios of control group. On the day of suture removal ratios of IL-6 and TNF-α were lower in LrPRP treatment group compared with control group; however, differences were not significant. LrPRP modulate ratios of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in dogs with CCLR.

Creating an Optimal In Vivo Environment to Enhance Outcomes Using Cell Therapy to Repair/Regenerate Injured Tissues of the Musculoskeletal System

Following most injuries to a musculoskeletal tissue which function in unique mechanical environments, an inflammatory response occurs to facilitate endogenous repair. This is a process that usually yields functionally inferior scar tissue. In the case of such injuries occurring in adults, the injury environment no longer expresses the anabolic processes that contributed to growth and maturation. An injury can also contribute to the development of a degenerative process, such as osteoarthritis. Over the past several years, researchers have attempted to use cellular therapies to enhance the repair and regeneration of injured tissues, including Platelet-rich Plasma and mesenchymal stem/medicinal signaling cells (MSC) from a variety of tissue sources, either as free MSC or incorporated into tissue engineered constructs, to facilitate regeneration of such damaged tissues. The use of free MSC can sometimes affect pain symptoms associated with conditions such as OA, but regeneration of damaged tissues has been challenging, particularly as some of these tissues have very complex structures. Therefore, implanting MSC or engineered constructs into an inflammatory environment in an adult may compromise the potential of the cells to facilitate regeneration, and neutralizing the inflammatory environment and enhancing the anabolic environment may be required for MSC-based interventions to fulfill their potential. Thus, success may depend on first eliminating negative influences (e.g., inflammation) in an environment, and secondly, implanting optimally cultured MSC or tissue engineered constructs into an anabolic environment to achieve the best outcomes. Furthermore, such interventions should be considered early rather than later on in a disease process, at a time when sufficient endogenous cells remain to serve as a template for repair and regeneration. This review discusses how the interface between inflammation and cell-based regeneration of damaged tissues may be at odds, and outlines approaches to improve outcomes. In addition, other variables that could contribute to the success of cell therapies are discussed. Thus, there may be a need to adopt a Precision Medicine approach to optimize tissue repair and regeneration following injury to these important tissues.