Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field that includes the ability of the human body to self heal. Regeneration is achieved due to the pluripotency of cells such as bone marrow stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells to differentriate and proliferate in response to signals and stimulations from the site of injury.
Orthopaedic surgery, trauma created by sports injuries or manipulations, are invariably painful and require a period of healing. Treatment usually consists of steroid injections that alleviate pain and reduce an immune response, but which do not contribute to the repair of damaged tissue. Surgical intervention can sometimes lead to unwelcome side effects or complications, or may need an extended recovery period..
The microenvironment of bone, tendons, ligaments and joints are characterised by a limited blood supply. Extracellular matrix proteins in the synovial fluid, macrophages and fibroblasts play a major role in the lubrication of tissue and reduce friction.
Platelet Rich Plasma is considered a healing and recovery accelerator. Nevertheless, the composition and concentration of PRP is critical in determing successful and rapid recovery. Typically, a blood sample comprises 93% red blood cells (RBC), 6% platelets and 1% white blood cells (WBC). Within PRP however, the ratio of RBC to platelets should be reversed. Effective platelet concentration in the field of orthopedics is approximately 3 million Platelets/ul. Importantly, the presence of RBC and certain WBC are not considered beneficial in damaged tissue. Inflammation caused by catabolic granulocytes and RBC is regarded as chronic if the inflammation exceeds a period of 48 to 72 hours. . Red blood cells secret many reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulate the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8. Granulocytes secrete chemokines that further stimulate an inflammatory response by inducing migration of inflammatory lymhpocytes to the damaged site. Macrophages, however, play a unique role as scavengers in the inflammation stage of healing.. In the granulation phase, macrophages secrete and induce anti-inflammatory cytokines that further reduce inflammation and support tissue regeneration.
Estar-Medical has developed a unique Platelet Rich Plasma product. Tropocells® PRP contains the correct composition of platelets and monocytes needed for successful outcomes. Tropocells® effectively excludes RBC and significantly reduces catabolic granulocytes thereby preventing additional inflammation in healing tissue. Platelet recovery during Tropocells® preparation exceeds 85%. The unique gel separation technology of Tropocells® ensures an effective separation of blood components with different densities, such as the “heavier” RBC and “lighter” monocytes and platelets. Not only is the platelet recovery of Tropocells extremely good, but Tropocells® can be descibed as monocyte rich. During the preparation of Tropocells® PRP, platelet concentration can be increased up to five times above base line levels. This unique composition of Tropocells® PRPencourages the healing response by reducing inflammation . Monocyte and platelet enrichment ensures faster tissue repair. . Platelets are known to secrete more than 800 growth factors and anti- inflammatory proteins. These simutaneously orchestrate the stimulation and and differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, the proliferation of fibroblasts, as well as ensuring extracellular matrix protein secretion for tissue lubrication.
Tropocells® Platelet Rich Plasma is increasingly recognised for the important role it can play in the growing field of Regenerative Medicine both for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.