Process Optimization and Efficacy Assessment of Standardized PRP for Tendinopathies in Sports Medicine: Retrospective Study of Clinical Files and GMP Manufacturing Records in a Swiss University Hospital

Harnessing Healing Power: A Comprehensive Review on Platelet-Rich Plasma in Compound Fracture Care

This comprehensive review explores the applications of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the context of compound fracture care, providing a thorough examination of its biological mechanisms, preparation techniques, and clinical implications. The analysis highlights PRP's potential in accelerating bone healing, enhancing soft tissue repair, reducing inflammation and infection risks, and managing pain during fracture recovery. The review underscores the importance of ethical and regulatory considerations in integrating PRP into orthopaedic practice, emphasising informed consent, transparent patient communication, and ongoing monitoring of ethical concerns. Looking ahead, the implications for the future of compound fracture care suggest a transformative shift with the potential for personalised medicine approaches and emerging technologies. However, the conclusion calls for a balanced perspective, acknowledging the promising applications of PRP while emphasising the need for responsible and ethical use. The collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulatory bodies are crucial in navigating this evolving landscape and harnessing the healing power of PRP to redefine orthopaedic care for individuals with compound fractures.

Elevated IL-1β and Comparable IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Levels Are Characteristic Features of L-PRP in Female College Athletes Compared to Male Professional Soccer Players

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been becoming popular for the treatment of musculotendinous injuries among athletes. However, for individual and practical variations, clinical success is hardly predictable. To overcome this difficulty, we have been exploring possible criterion candidates for monitoring its clinical effectiveness. In this study, we focused on sex-based differences in young elite athletes and compared the biochemical compositions of their PRP. Leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) was manually prepared from blood samples collected from male professional soccer players (mPSPs) (n = 25) and female college athletes (fCAs) (n = 36). Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), transforming-growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), platelet factor-4 (PF4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of PDGF-BB, TGFβ1, and PF4 in L-PRP were significantly higher in mPSPs than in fCAs. Conversely, IL-1β and IL-1RA were detected at significantly and slightly higher levels, respectively, in fCAs than in mPSPs. Our findings suggest that, even though L-PRP from fCAs may have lower potential to induce cell growth and differentiation than that of mPSPs, due to the latter's higher capacity to control inflammation, it does not necessarily imply that PRP treatment in fCAs is less effective. Thus, these cytokine levels should be checked before PRP therapy.

Characterization of Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma Derived from Female Collage Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study Focusing on Growth Factor, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly used in sports medicine owing to its various advantages. The purpose of our project was to standardize the parameters before performing large-scale clinical trials in the near future to precisely evaluate individual PRP quality. To examine the effects of regular exercise on PRP quality, this study focused on young female athletes, who have been relatively less studied. Blood samples were obtained from female college athletes (n = 35) and ordinary healthy adults (n = 30), which were considered as controls, and leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) was prepared manually. Body composition indices were determined using a bathroom weight scale equipped with an impedance meter. Growth factors and cytokines were quantified using ELISA kits. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and Transforming-growth factors β1 (TGFβ1) levels (per platelet) in L-PRP were significantly lower in female athletes than in controls. In contrast, Interleukin-1β and Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) levels (per platelet and L-PRP) in L-PRP were significantly higher in athletes, and this difference was more prominent in IL-1RA. These findings suggest that L-PRP from athletes may facilitate the inflammatory phase of the healing process by regulating the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory balance. These chemical compositions can be adopted as "must-check" parameters to characterize individual PRP preparations prior to clinical trials.

Bio-Enhanced Neoligaments Graft Bearing FE002 Primary Progenitor Tenocytes: Allogeneic Tissue Engineering & Surgical Proofs-of-Concept for Hand Ligament Regenerative Medicine

Hand tendon/ligament structural ruptures (tears, lacerations) often require surgical reconstruction and grafting, for the restauration of finger mechanical functions. Clinical-grade human primary progenitor tenocytes (FE002 cryopreserved progenitor cell source) have been previously proposed for diversified therapeutic uses within allogeneic tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. The aim of this study was to establish bioengineering and surgical proofs-of-concept for an artificial graft (Neoligaments Infinity-Lock 3 device) bearing cultured and viable FE002 primary progenitor tenocytes. Technical optimization and in vitro validation work showed that the combined preparations could be rapidly obtained (dynamic cell seeding of 10⁵ cells/cm of scaffold, 7 days of co-culture). The studied standardized transplants presented homogeneous cellular colonization in vitro (cellular alignment/coating along the scaffold fibers) and other critical functional attributes (tendon extracellular matrix component such as collagen I and aggrecan synthesis/deposition along the scaffold fibers). Notably, major safety- and functionality-related parameters/attributes of the FE002 cells/finished combination products were compiled and set forth (telomerase activity, adhesion and biological coating potentials). A two-part human cadaveric study enabled to establish clinical protocols for hand ligament cell-assisted surgery (ligamento-suspension plasty after trapeziectomy, thumb metacarpo-phalangeal ulnar collateral ligamentoplasty). Importantly, the aggregated experimental results clearly confirmed that functional and clinically usable allogeneic cell-scaffold combination products could be rapidly and robustly prepared for bio-enhanced hand ligament reconstruction. Major advantages of the considered bioengineered graft were discussed in light of existing clinical protocols based on autologous tenocyte transplantation. Overall, this study established proofs-of-concept for the translational development of a functional tissue engineering protocol in allogeneic musculoskeletal regenerative medicine, in view of a pilot clinical trial.

Assessment of the Efficiency of Measuring Foot and Ankle Edema with a 3D Portable Scanner

Background: To prospectively evaluate the reliability of a portable optical scanner compared to the water displacement technique for volumetric measurements of the foot and ankle and to compare the acquisition time associated with these two methods. Methods: Foot volume was measured in 29 healthy volunteers (58 feet, 24 females and 5 males) by a 3D scanner (UPOD-S 3D Laser Full-Foot Scanner®) and by water displacement volumetry. Measurements were performed on both feet, up to a height of 10 cm above the ground. The acquisition time for each method was evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient, and a Student's t-test were performed. Results: Mean foot volume was 869.7 +/- 165.1 cm³ (3D scanner) versus 867.9 +/- 155.4 cm³ (water-displacement volumetry) (p < 10^-5). The concordance of measurements was 0.93, indicative of a high correlation between the two techniques. Volumes were 47.8 cm³ lower when using the 3D scanner versus water volumetry. After statistically correcting this underestimation, the concordance was improved (0.98, residual bias = -0.03 +/- 35.1 cm³). The mean examination time was 4.2 +/- 1.7 min (3D optical scanner) versus 11.1 +/- 2.9 min (water volumeter) (p < 10^-4). Conclusions: Ankle/foot volumetric measurements performed using this portable 3D scanner are reliable and fast and can be used in clinical practice and research.