Researchers were in search of a way to regenerate liver cells damaged by cirrhosis. The idea was to use stem cells from cord blood as a treatment. The treatment, however, resulted in increased liver AND kidney damage. We clearly need to better understand such treatment before moving forward in humans. Fortunately, this study was done in rats.
Link to full story.
AM
Total Tendon
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Stem Cell Types
There are three basic types of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells as the name implies come from embryos and have ethical issues surrounding them. Adult stem cells can be purified from a variety of sources including bone marrow and fat. Finally, induced pluripotent stem cells are artificially made from somatic cells such as skin cells. This final type of stem cells is produced by a form of genetic engineering. Viruses are used to insert genes and change the characteristics of the cells.
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are years away from any real value as treatments because they carry a serious risk of cancer. This has not been well outlined in the press but needs to be discussed. Adult stem cells are used for a variety of treatments already including bone marrow transplants and other indications.
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are years away from any real value as treatments because they carry a serious risk of cancer. This has not been well outlined in the press but needs to be discussed. Adult stem cells are used for a variety of treatments already including bone marrow transplants and other indications.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
American Journal of Sports Medicine
The American Journal of Sports Medicine just published a review article about platelet rich plasma.
"PRP contains growth factors and bioactive proteins that influence the healing of tendon, ligament, muscle, and bone. This article examines the basic science of PRP, and it describes the current clinical applications in sports medicine." See abstract
"PRP contains growth factors and bioactive proteins that influence the healing of tendon, ligament, muscle, and bone. This article examines the basic science of PRP, and it describes the current clinical applications in sports medicine." See abstract
Saturday, October 03, 2009
AAOS Journal Article about Platelet Rich Plasma
The prestigious Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) just published (Oct. 2009) a review article on the topic of platelet rich plasma (PRP). This represents an interesting and important milestone for PRP as a regenerative treatment. The article is well written and outlines the need for specificity in terms of platelet concentration and white blood cell concentration in clinical trials. Claims that 2x platelet concentration have the same clinical value as 4-6x are not supported by this article. Again, it is important to follow peer reviewed literature such as this over unsubstantiated marketing materials.
"(Platelet rich plasma's) use in sports medicine is growing given its potential to enhance muscle and tendon healing. In vitro studies suggest that growth factors released by platelets recruit reparative cells and may augment soft-tissue repair." From Hall et al. See full abstract.
Monday, September 21, 2009
WADA to Approve PRP
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) just decided to allow the use of PRP for most problems. They will still prohibit its use via an intramuscular injection. This is an interesting and important development. I know that significant analysis went into this decision. Fortunately, elite athletes can now have access to the same valuable treatment that has been used on weekend warriors.
"The agency addressed platelet-derived preparations, commonly referred to as platelet-rich plasma or “blood- spinning," (...a process in which the platelets are removed from the blood and reinjected at the site of an injury for speedier healing). The preparations are prohibited when administered by the intramuscular route. Other methods of administration will require a declaration of use." (Reported by Nancy Kercheval from Bloomberg, See Full Article)
AM
Total Tendon
Apex PRP.com (PRP Videos and Photos)
"The agency addressed platelet-derived preparations, commonly referred to as platelet-rich plasma or “blood- spinning," (...a process in which the platelets are removed from the blood and reinjected at the site of an injury for speedier healing). The preparations are prohibited when administered by the intramuscular route. Other methods of administration will require a declaration of use." (Reported by Nancy Kercheval from Bloomberg, See Full Article)
AM
Total Tendon
Apex PRP.com (PRP Videos and Photos)
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Stem Cells from Liposuction
Is it too good to be true? Can you really make stem cells out of liposuction fat?
Yes, you can is the simple answer. The process takes some complicated steps that may result in tumor formation. So, years will be needed to simplify the concept of turning fat into stem cells. The field of autologous medicine (autologous = your own stuff such as fat or blood) is evolving rapidly. Platelet rich plasma is specific example of this type of medicine.
Read the abstract and article below. This is science not science fiction.
AM
Total Tendon
"Stanford researchers have found that globs of fat removed during liposuction contain cells that can be efficiently reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells — a type of stem cell that does not require the use of an embryo.
The findings were scheduled to be published online Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a Stanford press release said.
Stanford surgery professor and study co-author Dr. Michael Longaker described the leftover fat as "liquid gold." (From the Mercury News: See the full article)
Yes, you can is the simple answer. The process takes some complicated steps that may result in tumor formation. So, years will be needed to simplify the concept of turning fat into stem cells. The field of autologous medicine (autologous = your own stuff such as fat or blood) is evolving rapidly. Platelet rich plasma is specific example of this type of medicine.
Read the abstract and article below. This is science not science fiction.
AM
Total Tendon
"Stanford researchers have found that globs of fat removed during liposuction contain cells that can be efficiently reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells — a type of stem cell that does not require the use of an embryo.
The findings were scheduled to be published online Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a Stanford press release said.
Stanford surgery professor and study co-author Dr. Michael Longaker described the leftover fat as "liquid gold." (From the Mercury News: See the full article)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Excellent Evidence for Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Bosch et al in the Journal of Orthopedic Research just reported significant biomechanical evidence supporting the use of a single Platelet Rich Plasma injection for tendon injuries in an equine model. It is important to note this research was conducted using a formulation of platelet rich plasma contained about 4 times platelet concentration and 6 times white blood cell concentration. (Biomet Biologics GPS Device) The PRP was injected under ultrasound guidance.
Some PRP devices concentrate only platelets without any white blood cell concentration. This evidence and published human clinical data support the use of PRP that concentrate both. Make sure when considering a PRP procedure for tendon injuries to have the published literature guide treatment.
"The repair tissue in the PRP group showed a higher strength at failure (p = 0.021) and Elastic Modulus (p = 0.019). Histologically, PRP-treated tendons featured better organization of the collagen network (p = 0.031) and signs of increased metabolic activity (p = 0.031). It was concluded that PRP increases metabolic activity and seems to advance maturation of repair tissue over nontreated experimentally induced tendon lesions, which suggests that PRP might be beneficial in the treatment of clinical tendon injuries." See Full Abstract
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP.com
Some PRP devices concentrate only platelets without any white blood cell concentration. This evidence and published human clinical data support the use of PRP that concentrate both. Make sure when considering a PRP procedure for tendon injuries to have the published literature guide treatment.
"The repair tissue in the PRP group showed a higher strength at failure (p = 0.021) and Elastic Modulus (p = 0.019). Histologically, PRP-treated tendons featured better organization of the collagen network (p = 0.031) and signs of increased metabolic activity (p = 0.031). It was concluded that PRP increases metabolic activity and seems to advance maturation of repair tissue over nontreated experimentally induced tendon lesions, which suggests that PRP might be beneficial in the treatment of clinical tendon injuries." See Full Abstract
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP.com
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Another NY Times Article about Platelet Rich Plasma
The lay press are clearly interested in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as a treatment. It is intriguing to both athletes and reporters. The worldwide scientific data continues to support the use of PRP for tendon and ligament injuries. Large prospective randomized trials are also on-going. Today this article appeared in the New York Times:
"LAST April, at a meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, three experts in tendon injuries sat on a stage and talked about their preferred treatments. One said that the best treatment was to inject small amounts of a patient’s own blood into the injured tendon. Another said that the best method was to concentrate the platelets of the patient’s blood and then inject the concentration, a substance known as platelet rich plasma."
Read the Full Article.....
As the lay press examines PRP as a treatment, it is important to realize PRP still needs continued scientific investigation to prove its efficacy by specific indication.
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP
"LAST April, at a meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, three experts in tendon injuries sat on a stage and talked about their preferred treatments. One said that the best treatment was to inject small amounts of a patient’s own blood into the injured tendon. Another said that the best method was to concentrate the platelets of the patient’s blood and then inject the concentration, a substance known as platelet rich plasma."
Read the Full Article.....
As the lay press examines PRP as a treatment, it is important to realize PRP still needs continued scientific investigation to prove its efficacy by specific indication.
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP
Monday, August 10, 2009
NFL Player Platelet Rich Plasma
Another NFL player has documented success using platelet rich plasma for elbow tendonitis.
See story in Philadelphia newspaper.
This is a recurring pattern of elite athletes being treated with PRP. The evidence is, however, unfortunately weak. We need formal studies to prove these results are valid. If the NFL, MLB, NBA or other leagues sponsored formal trials or at least prospective studies we would better be able to determine the true value of PRP. We could also hopefully answer questions about what formulation of PRP is best.
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP.com
See story in Philadelphia newspaper.
This is a recurring pattern of elite athletes being treated with PRP. The evidence is, however, unfortunately weak. We need formal studies to prove these results are valid. If the NFL, MLB, NBA or other leagues sponsored formal trials or at least prospective studies we would better be able to determine the true value of PRP. We could also hopefully answer questions about what formulation of PRP is best.
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP.com
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
New York Times Article: Personal Best
A medical reporter from the New York Times just wrote an article about platelet rich plasma for her hamstring injury. Below is her part of her story:
"From what they see in patients with injuries like mine, he said, the doctors are enthusiastic. “The results over all are so promising and so positive,” (her doctor told her) As a skeptical medical reporter, I’d say, that’s not very convincing evidence. As an injured runner, I say, “I’ll take it.”
As the data surrounding platelet rich plasma matures and is published widely, we will be able to answer her questions better about how and when to use PRP most appropriately. For now, however, it is indeed a reasonable treatment for patients with chronic severe tendiniopathy.
AM
Total Tendon
ApexPRP.com
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