Cartilage Regeneration Potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Serum Biomarker of Cartilage Degradation, Coll2-1: A Triple-Blind Randomized Study.

Background: Through the course of the reported triple-blind randomized single-center study, we compared the clinical effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and evaluated their cartilage regeneration potential by studying the change in blood biomarkers related to cartilage breakdown, Coll2-1 before and after the intervention.

Materials and methods: During our study, the candidates with symptomatic KL grade 2 and 3 knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomized into two groups. Each group received three intra-articular injections of PRP or PRGF, each one 4 weeks apart. Baseline visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were compared with scores reported before 2nd and 3rd injection and at the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups since the first intervention. Furthermore, baseline serum Coll2-1 levels were compared with those obtained at the 12-month follow-up since the first intervention.

Results: The difference between the baseline means serum Coll2-1 values and the mean value obtained at the 12-month follow-up was found to be significant in both the PRP (P = 0.005) and PRGF (P = 0.009) groups showing significant reductions in the Coll2-1 levels at the 12-month follow-up of the patient.

Conclusion: Both PRGF and PRP showed statistically significant reductions in serum Coll2-1 levels at 12 months. PRGF showed better VAS and WOMAC outcomes at the 12-month follow-up as compared to PRP.