Purpose: To assess platelet-rich plasma (PRP) changes in platelet and leucocyte count, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration after bilateral low-load knee extensions with blood flow restriction (BFR). Methods: A randomised controlled trial involving two groups was conducted. The intervention group underwent low-load bilateral knee extensions with BFR, while the control group without BFR. Inclusion criteria were (1) male individuals, (2) between 18 and 40 years, (3) with Tegner activity level ≥5 and (4) no musculoskeletal conditions that would interfere with exercise. The participant performed a standard protocol of 30–15–15–15 repetitions of consecutive sets with 30-s rest intervals at 80% of limb occlusive pressure and a 15-lb load. PRP platelet and leucocyte count, IGF-1 and IL-6 concentration measurements (via flow cytometry, chemiluminescence testing and immunochromatography, respectively) were conducted before exercise and 10, 20 and 30 min after the intervention (T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). Results: A total of 24 participants were enrolled and allocated into two groups. The exercise bout in the BFR group resulted in higher platelet concentration and dose at T2 and T3, reaching a mean 9.9% maximum concentration increase and a mean 15.6% maximum dose increase at T2 (p = 0.07). Similarly, leucocyte concentrations and dose presented a steep decrease at T2, representing a 17.8% and 16.8% decrease, respectively. Moreover, a peak increase in IGF-1 concentration of 4.1% above baseline was observed at T3. IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower at all time points in the BFR group (˂1 pg/mL, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Low-load bilateral knee extensions with BFR induced a significant reduction of IL-6 concentration in PRP, which holds potential to tailor treatment for specific musculoskeletal injuries. Level of Evidence: Level I.
Omana Avila, O.D., Melo Cue, R.J., Romero Rodriguez, M.V., Pacheco, C., Mijares, M.I., Carrion-Nessi, F.S., et al. (2025). Blood flow restriction training before platelet-rich plasma preparation induces a significant reduction in its interleukin-6 levels: A pilot randomised controlled trial. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ORTHOPAEDICS, 12(4), N/A-N/A [10.1002/jeo2.70500].
Blood flow restriction training before platelet-rich plasma preparation induces a significant reduction in its interleukin-6 levels: A pilot randomised controlled trial
Zaffagnini S.;
2025
Abstract
Purpose: To assess platelet-rich plasma (PRP) changes in platelet and leucocyte count, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration after bilateral low-load knee extensions with blood flow restriction (BFR). Methods: A randomised controlled trial involving two groups was conducted. The intervention group underwent low-load bilateral knee extensions with BFR, while the control group without BFR. Inclusion criteria were (1) male individuals, (2) between 18 and 40 years, (3) with Tegner activity level ≥5 and (4) no musculoskeletal conditions that would interfere with exercise. The participant performed a standard protocol of 30–15–15–15 repetitions of consecutive sets with 30-s rest intervals at 80% of limb occlusive pressure and a 15-lb load. PRP platelet and leucocyte count, IGF-1 and IL-6 concentration measurements (via flow cytometry, chemiluminescence testing and immunochromatography, respectively) were conducted before exercise and 10, 20 and 30 min after the intervention (T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). Results: A total of 24 participants were enrolled and allocated into two groups. The exercise bout in the BFR group resulted in higher platelet concentration and dose at T2 and T3, reaching a mean 9.9% maximum concentration increase and a mean 15.6% maximum dose increase at T2 (p = 0.07). Similarly, leucocyte concentrations and dose presented a steep decrease at T2, representing a 17.8% and 16.8% decrease, respectively. Moreover, a peak increase in IGF-1 concentration of 4.1% above baseline was observed at T3. IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower at all time points in the BFR group (˂1 pg/mL, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Low-load bilateral knee extensions with BFR induced a significant reduction of IL-6 concentration in PRP, which holds potential to tailor treatment for specific musculoskeletal injuries. Level of Evidence: Level I.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
