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Growth factors and platelet-rich plasma: promising biological strategies for early intervertebral disc degeneration

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Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complex process with the mechanism not fully elucidated. The current clinical treatments for IDD are mainly focused on providing symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying cause of the IDD. Biological therapeutic strategies to repair and regenerate the degenerated discs are drawing more attention. Growth factor therapy is one of the biological strategies and holds promising prospects. As a promising bioactive substance, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is considered to be an ideal growth factor “cocktail” for intervertebral disc (IVD) restoration. Results from many in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed the efficacy of growth factors and PRP in IVD repair and regeneration. It is essential to advance the research on growth factor therapy and associated mechanism for IDD. This article reviews the background of IDD, current concepts in growth factor and PRP-related therapy for IDD. Future research perspectives and clinical directions are also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Jiangsu Province Science Foundation of China (Grant No: BK20131304).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Ding Jia Qiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People’s Republic of China

      Shan-zheng Wang, Qing Chang, Jun Lu & Chen Wang

    2. Surgical Research Center, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Ding Jia Qiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People’s Republic of China

      Chen Wang

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    1. Shan-zheng Wang
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    2. Qing Chang
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    Correspondence to Chen Wang.

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    Shan-zheng Wang and Qing Chang have contributed equally to this work.

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    Wang, Sz., Chang, Q., Lu, J. et al. Growth factors and platelet-rich plasma: promising biological strategies for early intervertebral disc degeneration. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 39, 927–934 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2664-8

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