Plasma Protein Concentrate (PPC)

Concentrating Plasma Proteins to Reduce Inflammation and Promote Repair

Procedure Description:

Plasma Protein Concentrate (PPC) therapy is an advanced regenerative treatment derived from a patient’s own blood. Unlike traditional platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PPC isolates and concentrates specific bioactive proteins—such as albumin, fibronectin, vitronectin, IL1-RA and alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M)—that play a key role in reducing inflammation, inhibiting cartilage degradation, and supporting tissue recovery. PPC is a cell-free, anti-inflammatory biologic designed for precision healing in degenerative and inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions.

What It Treats:

PPC is particularly beneficial for patients with:

Osteoarthritis (knee, shoulder, hip, etc.)
Degenerative disc disease
Chronic joint pain
Tendinopathies or ligament injuries
Failed response to traditional PRP or steroid injections
Early-stage cartilage degeneration

How It Is Performed:

Blood Collection: A small amount of blood (typically 60–120 mL) is drawn from the patient.
Laboratory Processing: The blood is processed in a specialized filtration system to isolate plasma proteins while removing platelets, white cells, and red cells.
Concentrate Preparation: The final product is a cell-free, highly concentrated protein solution rich in anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective proteins like A2M.
Injection: The PPC is injected under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance into the targeted joint or soft tissue area.
Total Time: The procedure generally takes 30–45 minutes.

Pre-Procedure Instructions:

To prepare for the procedure:

Avoid NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for 5–7 days before the procedure.
Stay well hydrated and eat a light meal on the day of your appointment.
Inform your provider of any blood-thinning medications or supplements you are taking.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the treatment area.
Arrange transportation if sedation is being used (rarely necessary).

What to Expect After the Procedure:

Mild soreness or stiffness at the injection site may occur and typically resolves in a few days.
Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting involving the treated area for 1–2 weeks.
Do not use anti-inflammatory medications (unless directed) for at least 7 days after the procedure to preserve the action of the plasma proteins.
Use ice sparingly in the first 24–48 hours for comfort if needed.
Physical therapy may be recommended to enhance long-term outcomes.
Clinical improvement often begins within 2–6 weeks, with peak benefits occurring over several months.

Note: PPC therapy is autologous (derived from your own blood), minimizing risk of immune reaction or disease transmission. It is considered safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.

To find out whether PPC is the right option for your joint or spine condition, schedule a consultation with our regenerative medicine team.

Evidence for PPC

The top 10 scientific studies supporting the use of plasma protein concentrate for regenerative medicine, both with and without the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are summarized below. These studies collectively highlight the evolving role of plasma protein concentrates—derived from platelet-poor plasma (PPP) or through ultrafiltration and concentration techniques—as sources of growth factors (such as IGF-1 and HGF), cytokines, and bioactive proteins that can enhance tissue repair, modulate inflammation, and support cell proliferation. When combined with PRP, these concentrates may provide synergistic effects by broadening the spectrum of regenerative mediators beyond those found in platelets alone. The studies also address the development of novel preparation methods, biological mechanisms, and clinical or preclinical applications in tissue engineering, wound healing, musculoskeletal repair, and osteoarthritis.

Study (First Author, Year)	Key Findings	Application/Context	References
Everts, 2024	Protein-rich, platelet-rich plasma (PR-PRP) matrices combine concentrated plasma proteins and platelets, supporting tissue repair and sustained release of growth factors	Tissue repair, wound healing, regenerative medicine	[1]
Giannotti, 2023	Reviews autologous platelet concentrates (PRP, PRF, CGF) and their clinical applications, highlighting differences in growth factor content and regenerative potential	Regenerative medicine, clinical applications	[2]
Etulain, 2018	Platelet-derived products modulate inflammation and regeneration; PRP efficacy depends on preparation and content of plasma proteins	Wound healing, tissue regeneration	[3]
Sánchez, 2025	Balanced protein-concentrate plasma (BPCP) with higher plasma protein and extracellular vesicle content enhances cell proliferation and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro	Tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory effects	[4]
Grzelak, 2024	Biomaterials combined with platelet concentrates (including plasma proteins) enable sustained growth factor release and improved tissue engineering outcomes	Soft/hard tissue engineering	[5]
Santos, 2018	Blood plasma derivatives, including PRP and plasma protein-based biomaterials, potentiate stem cell proliferation and tissue regeneration	Tissue engineering, regenerative medicine	[6]
Orive, 2021	Platelet-rich therapies leveraging plasma components and platelet secretome are emerging as platforms for advanced regenerative therapies	Advanced therapy, cell culture supplement	[7]
Muir, 2019	Concentrated PPP is a unique source of IGF-1 and can supplement PRP or autologous protein solutions for additive regenerative effects	Osteoarthritis, orthopaedic biologics	[8]
Burnouf, 2013	Blood-derived biomaterials (fibrin, plasma proteins, platelet gels) are used for wound healing, bone regeneration, and as cell culture supplements	Wound healing, bone/tissue repair	[9]
Mercader Ruiz, 2023	Ultrafiltration-based method enriches plasma with extraplatelet growth factors (IGF-1, HGF), improving cell viability and regenerative potential	Novel PRP preparation, regenerative medicine	[10]

These studies demonstrate that plasma protein concentrates, alone or in combination with PRP, provide a broader array of growth factors and bioactive molecules that can enhance regenerative outcomes in various clinical and experimental settings. The literature also emphasizes the importance of preparation methods and the potential for combining plasma proteins with biomaterials or PRP to optimize therapeutic efficacy.[1][4][8][10][5][10]