The effect of platelet-rich plasma on chondrocyte healing in traumatic dislocation of the hip in a rat model

Abstract

Background/Aim: Traumatic hip dislocations (THD) are orthopedic emergencies and significant complications such as cartilage degeneration can be reduced with early reduction. This study aimed to examine the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on cartilage cells in one-, two-or 8-hours prolonged hip dislocation. Methods: We used 24 Sprague-Dawley rats in this study and divided them into three main groups based on whether their hips were in the protruding position for one, two, or eight hours. Each main group was further divided into two subgroups, with the right hips constituting the experimental group and the left hips, the control group. Traumatic hip dislocation modeling was performed surgically on both hips of the rats under anesthesia in the same session. After both dislocated joints were reduced and the hip capsules were sutured, platelet-rich plasma was administered to the right hips. After 1 week, all rats were sacrificed, their femoral heads were excised and subjected to histopathological examination. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) testing was used to show chondrocyte apoptosis in the femoral head. The apoptotic index (AI) showing the ratio of cartilage cells to apoptosis was calculated histopathologically. A comparison of apoptotic indices was made between the groups. Results:The AIs of the one-, two-and eight hours-long hip dislocation groups were 0.012 (0.005), 0.023 (0.011), 0.046 (0.012), respectively (P<0.001), while those of the control groups were 0.028 (0.010), 0.077 (0.015), 0.100 (0.016), respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion:In traumatic hip dislocation known to cause chondrocyte apoptosis, PRP provides a significant reduction in the apoptotic index.