Platelet rich concentrate enhances mesenchymal stem cells capacity to repair focal cartilage injury in rabbits.

Background: It has been previously suggested that the use of regenerative promoters, which include bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or natural growth factors supplement such as platelet-rich concentrate (PRC) could promote cartilage regeneration. However, the notion that the concurrent use of both promoters may provide a synergistic effect that improves the repair outcome of focal cartilage injury has not been previously demonstrated. This study was thus conducted to determine whether the concomitant use of PRC could further enhance the reparative potential of MSCs encapsulated in alginate transplanted into focal cartilage injury in rabbits.