Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (17): 2772-2779.doi: 10.12307/2023.067

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Platelet-rich plasma meets the therapeutic needs of different articular cartilage defects

Zhang Ziyu1, 2, Wang Yiming2, Li Han2, Wang Zhonghan3, Lu Jialin2, Xu Rui2, 4, Jin Hui1   

  1. 1Department of Pain Treatment, 3Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, Jilin Province, China; 2Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China; 4Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
  • Received:2022-01-05 Accepted:2022-04-18 Online:2023-06-18 Published:2022-10-25
  • Contact: Jin Hui, MD, Attending physician, Department of Pain Treatment, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, Jilin Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Ziyu, Department of Pain Treatment, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, Jilin Province, China; Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
  • Supported by:
    The Interdisciplinary Research Funding Program for Doctoral Candidates of Jilin University, No. 419100200861 (to WZH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage is a kind of hyaline cartilage that has poor self-repair ability. Traditional treatments can merely regenerate fibrocartilage in the defect area but not completely repair a cartilage defect. Hence, it is necessary to explore an effective therapy for cartilage defects through regenerating hyaline cartilage. Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous platelet-rich extract containing various growth factors that has been widely applied in the treatment of articular cartilage defects currently and has shown beneficial therapeutic effects on various types of articular cartilage defects. At present, platelet-rich plasma therapy is a promising treatment for articular cartilage defects.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the preparation, storage and activation of platelet-rich plasma, analyze the properties of platelet-rich plasma in treating different types of articular cartilage defects, and discuss the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma in treating articular cartilage defects.
METHODS: Related articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI using the keywords of “platelet-rich plasma, articular cartilage, prepraration, mechanism, full-thickness cartilage defect, osteochondral defect, weight-bearing areas defect, hip, knee, ankle, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis in English and Chinese. The search time was from database inception to August 2021. Initially 225 articles were searched and 90 eligible articles were included in final analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich plasma contains high concentrations of growth factors that can play roles in promoting chondrocyte proliferation, regulating cartilage matrix secretion, inducing stem cell proliferation and differentiation, forming a strong scaffold structure, reducing inflammation, lubricating rough articular surface and reducing immune response in vivo, which can meet the requirements for treating various types of cartilage defects. Platelet rich plasma has a good therapeutic effect on full-thickness cartilage defects, osteochondral defects, weight-bearing area cartilage defects, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Platelet-rich plasma also has the potential to treat growth plate defects considering its curative effects on these abnormal conditions.

Key words: platelet-rich plasma, articular cartilage, full-thickness cartilage defect, osteochondral defect, weight-bearing area defect, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

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