EFFECT OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA ON CHONDROCYTE NUMBER IN CHEMICALLY INDUCED ANIMAL MODEL OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Objective: To study the histomorphological effects of platelet rich plasma infusion on number of chondrocytes in articular cartilage of monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritic rat knee model. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from March to May 2018. Methodology: Thirty two healthy adult male rats of 3-4 months of age weighing 200-300 gm were taken. Animals were divided into two groups A and B as control and experimental with 8 and 24 animals respectively. Group B was further subdivided into B1, B2 and B3 with 8 animals in each group. All rats were injected with 50 μl of monoiodoacetate solution in the right knee. Group B1 along with group A was sacrificed on day 14 for establishing the presence of histological features of osteoarthritis (OA). Group B2 was injected with single dose of platelet rich plasma on day 18. Group B3 was not given any treatment. All animals were sacrificed 4 weeks after the injection of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in group B2. Number of chondrocytes was observed. Results were analyzed using SPSS v 21. Results: Significant decrease in chondrocyte count was noted in group B3 as compared to group B2 in which PRP therapy was given. Conclusion: Platelet rich plasma infusion prevented chondrocyte apoptosis in the treated group as compared to the untreated group.