What Does Platelet Rich Plasma Contains And How Does It Help In Healing?
Healing of any injured or damaged tissue is brought about by migration of blood cells towards this are with the help of increased localised blood flow. Platelets reach the injured tissue through this mechanism and are responsible for clotting or coagulation of blood cells or help in minimising blood loss due to the injury. In addition, platelets also release Growth Factors, which are an essential part of the healing process.Platelets are composed of an alpha granule and a dense granule which contain a number of proteins and growth factors. On activation due to injury, the platelets undergo alteration in shape and develop branches to spread over injured tissue to help stop the bleeding in a process called aggregation, followed by the release of growth factors, mainly from the alpha granules.These growth factors thus give impetus to the healing process and its three stages namely
- Inflammatory
- Fibroblastic
- Maturation
Various Growth Factors Found in Platelets and Their Actions
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) | Attracts immune system cells to the area and stimulates them to proliferate. Has been shown to enhance ligament and tendon healing. |
Transforming Growth Factor-ß (TGF-ß) | Secreted by and affects all major cell types involved in healing. SImilar affects as PDGF. |
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) | Helps new blood vessel formation, thereby increasing vascularity in injured areas. |
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) | Promotes the growth of the cells involved in collagen and cartilage formation. |
References
The table is taken from the following paper.- Platelet Rich Plasma Prolotherapy as First-line Treatment for Meniscal Pathology
- Animal research together with five patient case reports demonstrates that platelet rich plasma prolotherapy (PRPP) is effective in the treatment of MRI-documented meniscal tears.
- By Ross A. Hauser, MD, Hilary J. Phillips and Havil Maddela