2025 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
Blood Flow Restriction-Enhanced Platelet-Rich Plasma: Preliminary Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Rafael Melo, MD, Caracas, MI VENEZUELA
Óscar Daniel Omaña Ávila, MD, Baruta, Miranda VENEZUELA
María Victoria Romero Rodríguez, MD, Caracas, Distrito Capital VENEZUELA
María Isabel Mijares, Bioanalyst, Caracas, Distrito Capital VENEZUELA
Cassandra Pacheco, Bioanalyst, Caracas, Distrito Capital VENEZUELA
Fhabián Carrión-Nessi, MD, MSc, Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar VENEZUELA
Olivia Gonzalez Cordero , MD, Caracas, Miranda VENEZUELA
Theodorakys Marín Fermín, MD, Caracas, Distrito Capital VENEZUELA
Laboratorio Avilab, Caracas, Capital District, VENEZUELA
The FDA has not cleared the following pharmaceuticals and/or medical device for the use described in this presentation. The following pharmaceuticals and/or medical device are being discussed for an off-label use: The Occlusion Cuff, The Occlusion Cuff Pro
Summary
Bilateral low-load knee extensions under BFR may increase platelet concentration while decreasing IGF-1 levels in PRP.
ePosters will be available shortly before Congress
Abstract
Objective
To assess platelet-rich plasma (PRP) changes in platelet and leukocyte counts, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations after bilateral low-load knee extensions under blood-flow restriction (BFR).
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2024 to date, including two groups: the intervention group, undergoing bilateral knee extensions under BFR, and the control group, performing bilateral knee extensions without BFR. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio. Healthy male individuals aged 18-40 years with a Tegner activity scale (TAS) ≥ 5 and no musculoskeletal conditions interfering with exercise were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included systemic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, blood dyscrasia, TAS < 5, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin within one week before testing, or prior exercise on the testing day. Participants performed low-load bilateral knee extensions under BFR following a standard protocol of 30-15-15-15 repetitions with 30-second rest intervals at 80% limb occlusive pressure and 30% one-repetition maximum load. PRP platelet and leukocyte counts, IGF-1, and IL-6 concentrations were measured before exercise and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes post-intervention. Patient data were summarized using mean and standard deviation and/or frequency and percentage. The Shapiro-Wilk test assessed the distribution of numerical variables. The repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for normally distributed variables, and the Friedman test was used for non-normally distributed variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
At the time of submission, 11 out of the planned 22 participants were enrolled, with six in the intervention group and five in the control group. The mean age was 25 ± 5 years, body mass index was 24 ± 2.8 kg/m², and TAS was 6 ± 1 points. Platelet concentration in the intervention group peaked 10 minutes post-exercise and remained elevated for up to 30 minutes compared to the control group (p = 0.45). IGF-1 concentration in the intervention group was lower than in the control group throughout the testing period (p = 0.55). There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in PRP platelet and leukocyte counts, IGF-1, and IL-6 concentrations.
Conclusions
Bilateral low-load knee extensions under BFR may increase platelet concentration while decreasing IGF-1 levels in PRP. However, these preliminary results are not statistically significant.