International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (IJMCM)

The objective of the study was to examine differences in miR-132 gene expression, cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-6), and functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis following treatment with PRP and HA. This study employed an exploratory, randomized, open-label, parallel-group interventional research design, where 131 participants were initially recruited. The trial was conducted from January 2023 to January 2024, at Bhayangkara Hospital Makassar, the South Sulawesi Regional Police Headquarters, and the HUM-RC Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University. The samples of peripheral blood were collected at baseline and five days after treatment. miR-132 expression RT-PCR, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes (VAS and WOMAC scores) were evaluated. PRP significantly decreased miR-132 expression (p = 0.000121), whereas HA (p = 0.775) and controls (p = 0.874) showed no significant changes. Between-group analysis revealed a significant difference between the PRP and control groups (p = 0.0105). IL-1β significantly decreased only in the HA group (p < 0.001). Both treatment groups had lower IL-1β than control group on day five (p < 0.0001). Meanwhile, no significant within- or between-group differences were observed for IL-6. PRP (p = 0.006) and HA (p < 0.001) significantly reduced VAS scores, but only PRP improved WOMAC (p = 0.035). However, the functional outcomes did not surpass the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds. PRP treatment significantly reduced miR-132 expression and improved functional outcomes to a certain extent, while HA appeared to affect IL-1β modulation with minimal functional effects.