title: Inhibitory effects of platelet-rich plasma on intervertebral disc degeneration: a preclinical study in a rabbit model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains multiple growth hormones that may stimulate tissue repair. This study aimed to assess the effects of PRP in a rabbit model of IDD (annulus fibrosus puncture).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: 0.1 mL PRP (group A), 0.1 mL phosphate-buffered saline (group B), and control (group C) (n=12/group). Annulus fibrosus puncture was performed to establish L4/5 and L5/6 IDD models. Two and 4 weeks later, 6 rabbits from each group were given an IVD injection at L4/5 and L5/6. Two or 4 weeks after injection, rabbits were scanned with X-ray and MRI before being sacrificed. IVDs were collected for hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Safranin O staining, and type II collagen immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over time, IVD height and disc imaging signal intensity decreased gradually in groups B and C, but only slightly in group A (baseline: 100% for all groups; A: 95.9±4.2% at 4 weeks, 90.1±8.4 at 6 weeks; B: 75.3±5.7% at 4 weeks, 70.8±6.4% at 6 weeks; C: 74.7±5.5% at 4 weeks, 69.9±6.2% at 6 weeks; all P<0.001, P<0.01 between A vs. B and C). Degenerative histological changes in IVDs in groups B and C were more severe compared with group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelet-rich plasma interventions can effectively attenuate the IDD process in rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Keke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Jinshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yonglin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital, affiliated to Fundan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jiachun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Wangping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000293:injuries; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011677:Punctures; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation