Background & Aims: Osteoartheritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by gradual degeneration of the joint cartilage, osteophyte formation, fibrillation and articular cartilage cracks. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors and promotes regeneration of bones. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PRP on cartilage repair in the osteoarthritis model in rabbits.  

Materials &Methods: In this study, 25 white New Zealand rabbits of both sexes were used. The anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee joint was resisted under general anesthesia. Eight weeks following the operation, they were divided into five groups. The first group served as the control group that received no treatment. The rest of rabbits received autogenic PRP in their joints. The rabbits were euthanized and the joints were sampled for histopathologic study at 8 and 12 weeks post PRP injection.  

Results: The results proved that the autogenic PRP is rich of growth factors and repairs the degenerated joints histology significantly compared to the control group and is useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Conclusion: PRP can be used to treat the joints affected by oateoarhteritis.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2015: 26(3): 226 ISSN: 1027-3727