2025/01/01 by Martín-Vega, Marta, Sanchez-Gomez, Ruben
Medicine · #Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments #Tendon Structure and Treatment #Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
paper · doi:10.17605/osf.io/ab4q3
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease with limited conservative treatment options. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has emerged as a regenerative approach, but its efficacy may depend on leukocyte content. This systematic review evaluates the effects of leukocyte-rich (LR-PRP) and leukocyte-poor (LP-PRP) formulations on clinical outcomes and inflammatory responses in knee OA. A literature search of PubMed (2014–2024) identified 11 relevant studies, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. Findings indicate that both LR-PRP and LP-PRP improve pain, function, and quality of life, with no consistent differences in efficacy. While LP-PRP may cause fewer local inflammatory reactions, the evidence does not show clear clinical superiority. Adverse events are generally mild and localized. Variability in study design, PRP preparation, and platelet concentration limits the generalizability of results. This review highlights the need for standardized protocols and high-quality comparative studies to clarify the role of leukocytes and optimize PRP therapy for OA.