Bone Marrow Aspirate and Platelet-Rich Plasma Mitigate Monoiodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rabbits

Abstract

n this study, monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis was established in the knee joints of rabbits to evaluate the therapeutic potential of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMA). Twelve adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 3/group): Group (1) negative control, Group (2) osteoarthritis-positive control, Group (3) PRP-treated, and Group (4) BMA-treated groups. Osteoarthritis was induced via intra-articular injection of MIA, followed by intra-articular administration of PRP or BMA. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using radiological examination, quantitative real-time PCR analysis of chondrogenic, anabolic, inflammatory, and catabolic genes, biochemical evaluation of inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, ESR), and hematological analysis. Radiological and molecular findings demonstrated that both PRP and BMA significantly mitigated osteoarthritic changes and inflammation, with BMA showing superior regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of BMA and PRP as effective biological therapies for osteoarthritis, with BMA offering enhanced therapeutic benefits.