Short- and long-term effects of platelet-rich plasma upon healthy equine joints: Clinical and laboratory aspects.

This study aimed to verify whether transient inflammatory reactions incited by the administration of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) affected joint components through short- and long-term in vivo evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers and extracellular matrix degradation products in synovial fluid. The effects of PRP were analyzed in a short phase protocol (SPP) and in a prolonged phase protocol (PPP), using saline-injected joints as controls. In the SPP, higher white blood cell counts and prostaglandin E2 and total protein concentrations were observed in the synovial fluid of PRP-treated joints (P < 0.05). There were no differences between the interleukin-1β, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, chondroitin sulfate, or hyaluronic acid concentrations between PRP and saline injected joints. In the PPP, there were no differences in evaluated parameters between groups. PRP injection elicits a mild and self-limiting inflammatory response shortly after administration, without long-term deleterious effects on joint homeostasis.