Platelet-rich plasma ameliorates knee osteoarthritis in rats by modulating the abundance of gut Lactobacillus murinus

  • J Drug Target. 2026 Mar 27:1-10. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2026.2648088.
Xueyuan Sun  1 ,  Qishan Li  1 ,  Mengjie Wang  1 ,  Yaochi Nie  1 ,  Lin Na  1 ,  Dongmei Yan  1 ,  Hui Wang  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Blood Transfusion, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P. R. China.
PMID: 41860290 DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2026.2648088
Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) involves gut-joint axis dysfunction. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) shows efficacy, but mechanisms remain unclear.

Method: 16S rRNA Sequencing identified Ligilactobacillus murinus (L. murinus) as a key altered microbe in pseudo-germ-free rats. A KOA rat model was used to assess combined L. murinus and PRP treatment via gait analysis, micro-CT, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Faecal samples from nine KOA patients were analysed before and after PRP treatment.

Result: In rats, L. murinus or PRP alone improved gait, bone parameters, cartilage pathology, and upregulated α-SMA and Collagen II, with the combination showing enhanced effects. In patients, PRP improved knee function, but L. murinus was not dominant and its abundance declined post-treatment.

Conclusion: Combining L. murinus and PRP may synergistically ameliorate KOA by modulating gut microbiota.

Keywords
Knee osteoarthritis; Ligilactobacillus murinus; gut microbiota; platelet-rich plasma; tissue repair.
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