The effects of platelet lysate therapy in comparison with autologous platelet rich plasma on chronic knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet lysate (PL) are nowadays promising candidates in the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of PRP injection and PL in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method: Twenty-five patients with a history of primary mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis in both knee joints lasting more than 4 continuous months were included in randomized clinical trial. Patients were treated with intra-articular injections of PRP and PL every 3 weeks for a total of 3 injections. Clinical outcomes were evaluated prospectively at baseline, 1 and 6 months after treatment for pain, stiffness, and function using the comparison of visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and range of motion (ROM) scores. The concentration of several growth factors, as well as inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA technique. Result: All patients showed significant improvements in pain and function following treatment of KOA with PL and PRP compared to baseline at each follow-up (P <0.001). At the end of the 6 month a significant trend towards greater was found in all scores in patients treated with PL when compared with PRP (P<0.05). Moreover, the concentration of growth factors (FGF, VEGF, PDGF and TGF-β1) in PL was significantly higher compared to PRP (P<0.05).