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Future osteoarthritis therapy may involve PRP combined with hyaluronic acid
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An investigation of human platelet-rich plasma combined with four types of hyaluronic acid commonly used for viscosupplementation showed this combination has promise as a potential osteoarthritis therapy, based on the viscoelastic and biological properties of the materials that researchers from Italy and Switzerland studied.
The investigators mixed human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with three hyaluronic acid (HA) products manufactured by IBSA Institut Biochimque SA: 0.8% Sinovial; 1.6% Sinovial Forte; and 3.2% Sinovial HL, and a HA product manufactured by Fidia Farmaceutici s.p.a. — 1.5% Hyalubrix. They used buffered saline combined with each of the four HA products as control. The study involved rheological measurements performed with a rheometer and an evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of the materials. In addition, researchers cultured primary chondrocytes that were identified as osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro with all the blends of HA and PRP for 1 week and then checked the results for cell viability and proliferation, as well as glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content.
Results showed the Sinovial HL had similar rheological behavior to Sinovial Forte and Hyalubrix; but, when combined with PRP, it displayed a superior ability to stimulate extracellular matrix in vivo.
“Our data demonstrate that PRP addition is not detrimental to the viscosupplementation effect of HA. Formulations with HA concentration below 1% display [a] significant drop of viscoelastic properties upon mixing with PRP,” the investigators wrote.
They concluded, “This study presents useful insights on the viscoelastic and biological properties of HA/PRP combinations as promising approach[es] for OA therapy.” – by Susan M. Rapp
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