Regenerative medicine helps the body utilize it’s own cells to stimulate recovery. Read below about how Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy work.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet Rich Plasma contains numerous growth factors that facilitate tissue healing and repair. Growth factors are small proteins that are contained within a compartment inside the platelet called the alpha granule. When a platelet is exposed to an area of damage or to fibrinogen, it becomes activated and changes its shape so that the alpha granule releases its growth factors. These growth factors play an important role in tissue repair by promoting new vessel formation, enhancing cellular proliferation and promoting extracellular matrix formation. For more information on growth factors and their role in tissue repair and regeneration, go to our blog post titled Growth Factors 101.
Stem Cells
When stem cells are injected in a concentrated form, they perform various functions to repair and regenerate tissue. They have the ability to differentiate into the surrounding tissue types which can include bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, muscle, and nervous tissue. Other primary functions of stem cells in regenerative therapy include:
- Activate surrounding resident stem cells
- Stimulate new blood supply
- Recruit additional cell types to aid in tissue repair and “clean-up”
- Stimulate healing and tissue growth with the release of cytokines and growth factors
- Decrease inflammation by moderating inflammatory pathways
- Reduce and/ or eliminate scar tissue
- Create a scaffold for healing tissues via extracellular matrix
For more information about Companion Regenerative Therapy, please contact Companion and we will provide you with additional information about our industry-leading education and canine-validated technology.
