Freeze-dried Platelet-rich Plasma and Stem Cell-conditioned Medium for Therapeutic Use in Horses.
Authors: Freitas Natália P P, Silva Beatriz D'Almeida P, Bezerra Marcus R L, Pescini Laura Y G, Olinda Roberio G, Salgueiro Cristiane Clemente de Mello, Nunes José F, Martins Jorge A M, Neto Saul G, Martins Leonardo T
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Freeze-dried Platelet-rich Plasma and Stem Cell-conditioned Medium in Equine Wound Healing Researchers from Brazil evaluated freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) as potential therapeutics to enhance tissue repair in horses, focusing on the stability and efficacy of these biologics when stored in lyophilised form. Using standardised wound models, the team quantified key growth factors (PDGF and VEGF) in both fresh and freeze-dried preparations, monitored wound healing progression over 24 days with photographic and histopathological assessment, and tested cellular proliferation in reconstituted PRP gels. Critically, PDGF and VEGF concentrations remained stable in freeze-dried samples for 90 days but declined significantly by 180 days; whilst in vitro testing demonstrated robust cell proliferation within PRP gel matrices, the clinical wound healing outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between PRP, ASC-CM, combined treatment, or saline control, with tissue remodelling (inflammation, fibroplasia, collagen deposition) progressing similarly across all groups over time. These findings suggest freeze-dried formulations could be viable for storage up to 90 days, preserving bioactive factor concentrations and supporting mesenchymal stem cell activity in laboratory conditions—yet the absence of enhanced healing in vivo warrants caution regarding clinical adoption and indicates that further investigation into dosing protocols, application timing, and wound type specificity is essential before recommending these treatments over standard management.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Freeze-dried PRP and stem cell-conditioned medium can be produced and stored for up to 90 days without loss of growth factor activity, offering practical advantages for field applications and shipping
- •In this wound model, combining PRP and ASC-CM did not provide additional benefit over single-agent treatment, suggesting simpler single-product protocols may be equally effective
- •While freeze-dried formulations show promise for cellular activity in vitro, additional research is needed to demonstrate clinical superiority over standard saline treatment in vivo
Key Findings
- •PDGF and VEGF levels remained stable in freeze-dried PRP and ASC-CM for 90 days but showed significant reduction after 180 days of storage
- •Cell proliferation test demonstrated intense mesenchymal stem cell multiplication in reconstituted PRP gel mesh
- •Wound healing time was similar across all treatment groups (saline control, PRP, ASC-CM, and combined ASC-CM+PRP)
- •No significant differences were observed in histopathological analyses including inflammation, fibroplasia, and collagen formation between treatment groups