| Popis: |
The therapeutic basis of platelet-rich plasma use in medicine is derived from the growth factor content and provisional matrix provided by the platelets themselves. This chapter briefly reviews the platelet research which led to the conceptual development of PRP as a treatment and also the early history of its use. An overview of platelet structure and function is provided to enhance the clinician’s understanding of the cell biology behind PRP therapy. The 2 major growth factors in PRP (PDGF and TGFβ) are also discussed. Finally, a review of the experimental PRP literature (in vitro and animal studies) is presented, which describes the evidence for use of PRP in tendon/ligament, bone, and joints. Standardization of PRP use remains a challenging prospect due to the number of variables involved in its preparation and administration. It may be that individually-tailored PRP protocols are actually more beneficial for our patients—only time and further research will bear this out. |
