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Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports2010; 21(4); 554-561; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01070.x

The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the neovascularization of surgically created equine superficial digital flexor tendon lesions.

Abstract: The repair process of tendon injuries, which are common in both human and equine athletes, is slow and the quality of the repair tissue is often inferior to the original tendon tissue, which frequently leads to re-injury. The relatively poor vascularization of tendons is considered to be one of the reasons for their limited healing potential. Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous concentrate of platelets, rich in growth factors, has been shown to enhance the repair process of injured tendons. This effect has been ascribed to the high levels of growth factors in PRP, several of which are known to be involved in tendon repair. Among many other growth factors, the vascular endothelial growth factor, a powerful stimulator of angiogenesis, is abundantly present in PRP, suggesting that enhancement of neovascularization might be one of the working mechanisms. In this study, the effect of PRP on neovascularization was studied in experimentally induced tendon injuries using color Doppler ultrasonography and immunological staining of Factor VIII. PRP induced significantly more neovascularization than the placebo treatment until at least 23 weeks after treatment, as detected by both Doppler ultrasonography and Factor VIII staining. Neovascularization might be one of the explanations for the long-lasting effect of a single intratendinous treatment with PRP.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
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Publication Date: 2010-03-10 PubMed ID: 20459479DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01070.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about the effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on the healing process of tendon injuries in horses, with a particular focus on how PRP enhances neovascularization or blood vessel formation in the injured tendons.

Objective of the Research

The main aim of the study was to investigate the impact of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the blood vessel formation (neovascularization) in experimentally induced tendon injuries in horses.

  • Tendons, in both human and equine athletes, have a slow and sub-optimal healing process due to their poor vascularization. This often leads to the recurrence of injuries.
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a substance rich in growth factors, has been found to improve the tendon repair process. This is attributed to the high levels of growth factors in PRP, a number of which are involved in tendon healing.
  • The study hypothesizes that one of the ways in which PRP optimizes tendon repair is through improvement of neovascularization, largely guided by its high content of vascular endothelial growth factor – a stimulator of blood vessel formation.

Methodology and Study Set Up

The researchers induced tendon injuries in horses and investigated the effects of PRP on neovascularization using color Doppler ultrasonography and immunological staining of Factor VIII.

  • Color Doppler Ultrasonography is a medical imaging technique that visualizes the flow of blood through vessels, hence, effective in assessing neovascularization in injured tendons.
  • Immunological staining of Factor VIII is used to identify endothelial cells, cells that make up blood vessels, hence, useful in detecting new blood vessel formation.

Findings of the Research

The findings showed that PRP resulted in significantly more neovascularization in the tendons than the placebo treatment up to 23 weeks post-treatment.

  • This was demonstrated by both Doppler sonography and Factor VIII staining, therefore, the researchers concluded that neovascularization might be one of the explanations for the long-lasting effect of a single intratendinous treatment with PRP on tendon injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Bosch G, Moleman M, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR, van Schie HT. (2010). The effect of platelet-rich plasma on the neovascularization of surgically created equine superficial digital flexor tendon lesions. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 21(4), 554-561. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01070.x

Publication

Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
ISSN: 1600-0838
NlmUniqueID: 9111504
Country: Denmark
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 4
Pages: 554-561

Researcher Affiliations

Bosch, G
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.bosch@uu.nl
Moleman, M
    Barneveld, A
      van Weeren, P R
        van Schie, H T M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Horses
          • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
          • Platelet-Rich Plasma / metabolism
          • Tendon Injuries / surgery
          • Tendon Injuries / therapy
          • Tendons / blood supply

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