Intra-articular injection of culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells with or without addition of platelet-rich plasma is effective in decreasing pain and symptoms in knee osteoarthritis: a controlled, double-blind clinical trial

Purpose To compare the clinical and laboratory outcomes of intra-articular injections of culture-expanded bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to intra-articular corticosteroid injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Forty-seven patients with radiographic and symptomatic knee OA were randomized into three groups for intra-articular injections: autologous bone marrow-derived culture-expanded MSCs ( n = 16); autologous bone marrow-derived culture-expanded MSCs + PRP ( n = 14); and corticosteroid ( n = 17). The outcomes were assessed by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and range of motion (ROM) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and intra-articular cytokines analysis at baseline, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results The three groups showed significant improvement in most KOOS domains and global score at 1st month and all domains and global score at 12-month follow-up ( p < 0.05). At the 1st month, only the MSCs group showed significant differences in KOOS symptoms domain ( p = 0.003). The MSCs and MSCs + PRP groups showed the highest percentage of improvement in most KOOS domains and global score compared to the corticosteroid group. All three groups showed a significant reduction in intra-articular levels of human interleukin-10 cytokine, from baseline to 12 months ( p < 0.05). Conclusion An intra-articular injection of bone marrow-derived culture-expanded MSCs with or without the addiction of PRP is effective in improving the function and decreasing symptoms caused by knee OA at 12-month follow-up. Level of evidence II.