Osteoarthritis: clinical aspects and new therapeutic perspectives based on regenerative therapy

Joint diseases in small animals represent a high percentage in the routine of veterinary hospitals. The high frequency of joint injuries resulting from various factors (intra-articular fractures, ruptured ligaments, predisposing diseases, etc.) requires more effective therapies. The goal of treatment of joint diseases after correction of the primary causes is to decrease pain and delay the progression of osteoartritis. Equilibrium in the cartilage metabolism is critical for maintaining the integrity of the extracellular matrix and the other structures that form the cartilage. The imbalance between cytokines and growth factors can lead to irreversible and disabling alterations in the joint surface of the major joints. Osteoarthritis is characterized by alteration of the structure of articular cartilage, decrease in joint movement accompanied by crackling, osteophyte formation, lameness, pain and loss of function. The currently available treatments include conservative and surgical ones trying to stabilize joints and relieve pain, but not to prevent the progression of the degenerative joint disease. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous substance obtained from whole blood subjected to centrifugation and activation processes that have shown therapeutic potential in the treatment of certain diseases and in various areas of human and veterinary medicine. The objective of this bibliographical presentation is to review the main aspects of osteoarthritis, the role of cytokines in its development, the characteristics of platelet-rich plasma, processes for its obtation and use as a new therapeutic alternative in the main joint injuries affecting domestic animals.