Plasma therapy: application possibilities

Vladimir IVANISCHEV, gerontologist, dermatologist of the highest category, researcher at the D. F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine (Ukraine)

Thanks to modern scientific discoveries in the field of physiology and biology, regenerative medicine techniques have become an integral part of the practical activities of aesthetic medicine specialists. About 50% of the total number of procedures performed in the beauty industry is plasma therapy

The technology for obtaining and administering one’s own blood plasma has firmly entered the list of services for correcting age-related skin changes, and is also widely used in other areas of medicine - traumatology, dentistry, neurology, and gynecology.

Interest in the use of autoplasma in cosmetology is due to its unique mechanism of action: when autologous platelet-rich plasma is introduced into the dermis, platelets produce a group of growth factors that activate the main cell population of the dermis - fibroblasts. As a result, the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid increases, and the processes of angiogenesis intensify. It is this mechanism of action that is the focus of modern anti-aging skin therapy.

At the same time, the rich biochemical composition of plasma has a multi-vector effect, due to which the functioning of cells, organs and tissues, and therefore the body as a whole, is improved and normalized.

Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that contains water and suspended substances (proteins and other compounds). As a percentage, plasma makes up 52–61% of blood mass and is approximately a 10% aqueous solution of organic and mineral substances. The composition of blood plasma is shown in the figure.

There is a hypothesis that the composition of blood plasma resembles the composition of the water of prehistoric seas in which life originated.

Blood plasma is in relationship with the tissue fluid of the body: all substances necessary for life pass from plasma to tissues, and metabolic products return back.

The complex chemical composition of plasma allows it to perform many physiological functions in the human body:

• nutritional – contains all the essential compounds to create living conditions for cells;
• transport – delivers all the necessary substances from the site of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract to cells and target organs;
• homeostatic - together with organic and inorganic compounds, maintains the constancy of the internal environment of the body;
• protective – thanks to immunoglobulins and cytokines, it takes part in the body’s immune reactions;
• detoxifying – directs the end products of metabolism to the excretory organs (kidneys, lungs, skin).

CHARACTERISTICS OF BLOOD PLASMA

Of all the plasma components, protein fractions are of greatest interest. The blood plasma of a healthy person contains over 100 types of proteins. Albumin, immunoglobulins, lipoproteins, fibrinogen, transferrin make up about 90% of the total blood protein, the rest are present in small quantities in the plasma.

The liver synthesizes fibrinogen and blood albumin, most of the α- and β-globulins, the cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) of the bone marrow and lymph nodes produce part of the β-globulins and γ-globulins (immunoglobulins). The main blood plasma proteins, as well as their functions, are presented in the table.

From a physiological point of view, proteins are the most significant organic compounds for the body. They perform many more functions than other classes of chemicals.

Proteins are synthesized from 20 proteinogenic amino acids that enter the body with food. Using different combinations of amino acids according to the genetic code encoded in DNA, cells synthesize a variety of protein molecules with different molecular weights and functional properties. Therefore, amino acids act as a strategic substance, without which protein creation is impossible.

Amino acids are also building materials for the renewal and construction of all tissues of the human body. They play a key role in reparative processes and mechanisms of neocollagenesis. In case of amino acid deficiency, protein synthesis processes slow down, which affects the ability of tissues to regenerate. In addition, a decrease in the intake of amino acids into the body or a violation of their formation leads to an insufficiency of their concentration in the blood plasma, which is accompanied by various clinical syndromes and symptoms. The table shows the amino acid composition of plasma.

In addition to protein substances, blood plasma contains vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and non-protein organic compounds. Each metabolite performs a specific physiological function in the body - it catalyzes a chemical reaction, is embedded in the cell membrane, carries oxygen, is an energy carrier, maintains the pH of the environment and water-electrolyte balance, etc. The concentrations of the main mineral and non-protein organic compounds in the plasma of healthy people are presented in the table .

POSSIBILITIES OF USE

Based on the data of the biochemical composition spectrum, we will reveal the secrets of the many-sided plasma.

Plasma therapy

The plasma therapy procedure is the safest technology among injection techniques. It is absolutely physiological and does not cause allergic reactions, since only the patient’s own biomaterial is used. Thus, in the hands of aesthetic medicine specialists there is a technique that eliminates the risks of rejection, transmission of infections through blood and the occurrence of any adverse reactions.

Due to the absence of transfer of material from another person, during the procedure the risks of transmitting hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV to the patient are eliminated.

Plasma improves skin hydrobalance

According to scientific data, the water content of the dermis decreases with age for several reasons. For example, in the skin of the forehead of elderly people, the density of capillaries per unit area is 40% less than in young people. The vascular wall also undergoes changes due to glycation processes. It becomes less permeable to transcapillary exchange between blood and adjacent tissues - capillary-trophic insufficiency syndrome develops, tissues experience water deficiency.

Due to reduced delivery, as well as increased evaporation of water through the epidermis, the skin becomes dry.

Plasma contains about 90% water, corresponding to the pH, enriched with vitamins, minerals, and microelements. Injecting plasma into the dermis improves skin hydration and normalizes water balance.

Plasma normalizes local immunity mechanisms

The γ-globulin family is represented by five classes of immune proteins: immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE.

From an immunological point of view, there are cellular and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity is carried out through the cooperation of lymphocytes and macrophages and provides protection of the body from viral infections and tumor processes. Humoral immunity is realized with the help of immunoglobulins and other proteins and is aimed primarily at fighting bacterial infections.

By increasing the concentration of immunoglobulins in tissues (skin), plasma restores local immunity, enhancing defense mechanisms against infectious agents.

Thus, we can recommend the use of plasma for the local treatment of chronic infectious skin diseases (for example, herpesvirus infections) as part of complex therapy.

Plasma improves skin color and corrects age spots

Changes in skin color and the appearance of age spots are one of the markers of involutional changes. The mechanism of pigment formation is usually associated with increased melanin production under the influence of provoking factors (for example, excessive insolation).

Due to the content of ascorbic acid and vitamin A in plasma, known for their depigmenting effect, it is possible to improve skin color and correct pigmentation.

Plasma against gray hair

By age 60, 50% of the population has half the hair on their body gray and an even larger percentage on their head. The key components for the formation of melanin (its deficiency causes graying) are the amino acid tyrosine and the trace element copper. Copper acts as a cofactor for the enzyme tyrosinase, which is necessary for the conversion of tyrosine into DOPA, with the subsequent formation of melanin.

Copper is not synthesized in the body and comes from food. In the small intestine, it is absorbed into the systemic circulation, binds to a transport protein from the α-2-globulin group - ceruloplasmin - and is delivered to melanocytes, where it is included in biochemical reactions.

Therefore, the protein ceruloplasmin, copper and the amino acid tyrosine are the three most important components of plasma, without which melanin synthesis cannot occur. Accordingly, the plasma therapy technique can be used for the complex treatment of graying hair.

Autologous plasma is a “native” antibiotic

According to scientific data, platelets contain antimicrobial peptides (seven such peptides have been discovered - fibrinopeptide A, fibrinopeptide B, thymosin b-4, platelet basic protein, connective tissue activating peptide-3, RANTES, platelet factor-4). Accordingly, the antibacterial effect of autologous plasma is due to these peptides and leukocyte cells (they are part of some PRP preparations). These compounds are able to participate in immune reactions to reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process.

Plasma amino acids are necessary for the synthesis of collagen and elastin

Amino acids are structural and plastic material for the whole organism. The aging processes of organs and tissues are characterized by a decrease in amino acid pools in cells, intercellular fluids, and tissues. As a result of a deficiency of amino acids in the skin, the processes of collagen and elastin synthesis are disrupted, wrinkles and gravitational ptosis appear - signs of chronological aging. By replenishing the balance of amino acids in the dermis, the formation of collagen and elastin is stabilized, which means wrinkles are reduced and the aging process is slowed down.

Blood plasma is the best “food” for skin cells

Normal growth and vital activity of any cells in the human body requires certain conditions:

• optimal pH;
• water;
• microelements;
• amino acids;
• oxygen;
• carbohydrates.

Blood plasma, due to its biochemical composition, forms an absolutely ideal environment for comfortable living conditions of cells.

Any deviation or deficiency of any of the above parameters leads to disruption of the basic processes of cell functioning - division and synthesis of necessary components.

Summarizing all of the above, we see that human blood plasma is not only a source of platelet-derived growth factors, but also:

• an autologous source of vitamins, microelements, minerals to ensure structural and plastic processes in cells and tissues;
• a universal transport system that ensures the delivery of vital ingredients (for example, O2);
• a certain “detox organ” (removes end products of metabolism from cells to excretory organs).

Accordingly, in addition to actively participating in regeneration processes, blood plasma also performs many other functions in the body - restores blood flow, improves tissue oxygenation, forms a physiological environment around cells, activates the mechanisms of formation of collagen, elastin, and the synthesis of hyaluronic acid.

The undoubted advantage of using autoplasmotherapy over other injection techniques is its ability to simultaneously influence many and various mechanisms of age-related changes in the skin (and other tissues as well).

Due to its unique composition and safety, the autoplasma therapy technique can be widely used in aesthetic and anti-aging