Molecular and Regenerative Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Related Hemocomponents in Animal Models of Liver Injury—A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This review examines how platelet-based treatments affect liver injury in animals, finding potential benefits but highlighting the need for better standardization.

Contribution

The study systematically reviews the molecular and regenerative effects of various platelet-derived hemocomponents in animal liver injury models.

Findings

Platelet-based interventions show hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and pro-regenerative effects.

Responses to platelet-based treatments are highly context-dependent and vary with injury type, administration route, and timing.

Heterogeneity in product types and inconsistent reporting limit cross-study comparisons and mechanistic understanding.

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly explored as a biologic strategy for liver repair; however, preclinical studies have evaluated not only intact PRP but also PRP related hemocomponents with distinct biological properties, complicating interpretation and translation of the evidence. A systematic review of experimental studies was conducted to assess the effects of PRP and related hemocomponents in animal models of liver injury, focusing on molecular, metabolic, biochemical, and histological outcomes, and evaluating methodological quality and risk of bias using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 framework. Fourteen eligible studies were identified across toxic, cholestatic, parasitic, radiation-induced, and surgical models. Platelet-based interventions were generally associated with hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and pro-regenerative effects; however, responses were highly context dependent and varied according to injury etiology, disease stage, administration route and timing, and the frequent use of combination therapies. Substantial heterogeneity in the platelet-based products evaluated—including platelet supernatants and lysates—and inconsistent reporting of key compositional parameters limited product classification, cross-study comparability, and mechanistic interpretation, while ROB 2.0 assessments revealed predominantly some concerns of bias. PRP and related hemocomponents show biologically relevant effects in experimental liver injury, but their translational potential is constrained by methodological heterogeneity and inadequate product characterization. Standardized reporting, controlled comparative designs, and clinically relevant models are required to clarify efficacy and support rational translation.

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