This episode reviews a 2023 Biomedicines editorial by Gupta, Maffulli, and Jain on why red blood cells should be minimized in platelet-rich plasma. The discussion explores what hemolysis is, how it occurs, and what current research suggests about the presence of RBCs in PRP preparations used for musculoskeletal applications.

Key points include how RBC breakdown products may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, synovial irritation, and potential cartilage damage — and why minimizing hemolysis may help preserve the intended therapeutic benefits of PRP. 📄 Referenced Editorial: “Red Blood Cells in Platelet-Rich Plasma: Avoid If at All Possible”

If you are interested in the full study, contact info@ardentanimalhealth.com. For questions or further discussion, feel free to reach out to adrienne@ardentanimalhealth.com. If your practice has experience managing hemolyzed PRP samples, your insights are welcome.

This week, we’re exploring a fascinating human pilot study with powerful takeaways for veterinary medicine. The research, “Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for treating chronic kidney disease: A pilot study assessing safety and clinical feasibility” (Villanueva et al., 2019), examined how stem cells may support kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results showed improved proteinuria and slower disease progression in most patients—without adverse effects. These findings mirror what’s been observed in veterinary cases using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), where pets often show better energy, appetite, and stability even when lab results shift modestly. As CKD remains one of the most common conditions in older dogs and cats, this study highlights how regenerative therapies could play a larger role in managing long-term kidney health.

This week on Sit. Stay. Learn., I reviewed a 2022 study by He et al. in Frontiers in Veterinary Science that tested whether umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) could improve recovery after trochlear groove reconstruction (TGR) in dogs. Ten healthy poodles were divided into treatment and control groups, with UC-MSCs injected intra-articularly on days 0, 7, and 14. The treated dogs showed significantly lower white blood cell and neutrophil counts on days 7 and 21, indicating less inflammation, and recovered mobility about four days faster than controls. CT and histology revealed early cartilage regeneration and restored bone contour in the UC-MSC group, while controls still had cartilage gaps. Overall, UC-MSCs appeared to reduce inflammation, speed healing, and improve joint repair without adverse effects. Since these were donor (allogeneic) cells, I’d like to see future work confirm long-term safety—one reason I often favor autologous options like Ardent’s SVF therapy. If you’ve used PRP or cell therapy in a TGR case, I’d love to hear your results at adrienne@ardentanimalhealth.com or www.ardentanimalhealth.com.