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Updated: Apr 2, 2026
Preparation, Procedures and Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Published on: January 4, 2019
Lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin functionalized injectable hydrogel microspheres for alleviating osteoarthritis in a
Yingtao Duan1, Zhilin Wu1, Dagang Tang1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Municipal Health Commission Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Regeneration and Translational Medicine, Orthopaedic Research Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin (Ly-PRF) contains various growth factors that contribute to tissue regeneration and alleviation of osteoarthritis. Microfluidic hydrogel microspheres are the suitable delivery systems for delivering Ly-PRF to the articular cavity for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to construct hyaluronic acid methacrylonitrile acylationed (HAMA) microspheres encapsulating Ly-PRF (HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres) and investigate their therapeutic efficacy in osteoarthritis.
Methods:
Fresh PRF was prepared by centrifugation, and vacuum freeze-drying technology was utilized to prepare Ly-PRF. Subsequently, HAMA was synthesized by chemical synthesis, which could be crosslinked under exposure to ultraviolet light. Thereafter, HAMA and HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres were fabricated using the microfluidic method. In vitro, the biocompatibility of HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres and their effect on chondrogenic differentiation were tested. In vivo, a rat model of osteoarthritis was created to evaluate the alleviating effect of HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres on osteoarthritis.
Results:
The fresh PRF was located in the middle of the glass tube after centrifugation. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that Ly-PRF had a honeycomb-like porous structure. The prepared HAMA and HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres were uniform in size and shape, and exhibited porous structures as evidenced by the findings of scanning electron microscopy. The HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres had good biocompatibility and could promote chondrogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells through the sustained release of transforming growth factor-β1 contained in Ly-PRF. In vivo, the HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres alleviated osteoarthritis due to their promotive effect on chondrogenic differentiation.
Conclusions:
HAMA@Ly-PRF microspheres may alleviate osteoarthritis by the sustained release of growth factor from Ly-PRF. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS.
