Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (749 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The residual portion of blood that is left after removal of blood cells by centrifugation without prior blood coagulation.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Plasmas; Blood Plasma; Blood Plasmas; Plasma, Blood; Plasmas, Blood; Fresh Frozen Plasma; Fresh Frozen Plasmas; Frozen Plasma, Fresh.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Blood; Extracellular Fluid
- Narrower topics
- Platelet-Rich Plasma
- See also
- Serum
Related concepts
- Blood
- Blood Cells
- Centrifugation
- Blood Coagulation
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 34,967 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Plasma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 8,428 of them (24.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 12,178 records.
Reviews account for 3,391 records (9.7%) and meta-analyses for 696. Randomized controlled trials number 1,694 (4.8%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 12,178 |
| 2000-2009 | 4,042 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,319 |
| 2020 onward | 8,428 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 3,391 | 9.7% |
| Meta-analyses | 696 | 2.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,694 | 4.8% |
Method: PubMed query "Plasma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Molecular Mechanisms, Actions and Clinical Applications in Human Body | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 55 | cc by PMID 41226837 · DOI · PMC12608683 |
| Pre-analytical drivers of bias in bead-enriched plasma proteomics | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 24 | cc by PMID 40940569 · DOI · PMC12603263 |
| Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Photoaged Facial Skin: An Investigator-Blinded, Split-Face, Non-Inferiority Trial | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 20 | cc by PMID 40414798 · DOI · PMC12104007 |
| Platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles delivered niraparib for ultrasound imaging and atherosclerosis treatment | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41652437 · DOI · PMC12977760 |
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Molecular Mechanisms, Actions and Clinical Applications in Human Body [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood-derived concentrate increasingly utilized in regenerative medicine for its ability to accelerate healing and tissue repair.
- Closing excerpt
- Although preparation heterogeneity remains a challenge, PRP offers a versatile, biologically active therapy with expanding clinical utility.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (255 words)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood-derived concentrate increasingly utilized in regenerative medicine for its ability to accelerate healing and tissue repair. PRP is broadly classified by leukocyte content, fibrin architecture, and platelet concentration, with classification systems developed to standardize characterization. Preparation methods, including single- or double-spin centrifugation and buffy coat techniques, influence the final composition of PRP, determining the relative proportions of platelets, leukocytes, plasma proteins, and extracellular vesicles. These components act synergistically, with platelets releasing growth factors (e.g., VEGF, PDGF, TGF-β) that stimulate angiogenesis and matrix synthesis, leukocytes providing immunomodulation, plasma proteins facilitating scaffolding, and exosomes regulating intercellular signaling. Mechanistically, PRP enhances tissue repair through four key pathways: platelet adhesion molecules promote hemostasis and cell recruitment; immunomodulation reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and favors M2 macrophage polarization; angiogenesis supports vascular remodeling and nutrient delivery; and serotonin-mediated pathways contribute to analgesia. These processes establish a regenerative microenvironment that supports both structural repair and functional recovery. Clinically, PRP has been applied across multiple specialties. In orthopedics, it promotes tendon, cartilage, and bone healing in conditions such as tendinopathy and osteoarthritis. In dermatology, PRP enhances skin rejuvenation, scar remodeling, and hair restoration. Gynecology has adopted PRP for ovarian rejuvenation, endometrial repair, and vulvovaginal atrophy. In dentistry and oral surgery, PRP accelerates wound closure and osseointegration, while chronic wound care benefits from its angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. PRP has also favored gingival recession coverage, regeneration of intrabony periodontal defects, and sinus grafting. Although preparation heterogeneity remains a challenge, PRP offers a versatile, biologically active therapy with expanding clinical utility.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41226837 · DOI · PMC12608683
Pre-analytical drivers of bias in bead-enriched plasma proteomics [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Bead-based enrichment is a promising strategy to improve depth in plasma proteomics by overcoming the dynamic range barrier.
- Closing excerpt
- Our results provide a quantitative framework for assessing workflow performance under variable sample quality and offer guidance for both biomarker discovery and quality control in clinical proteomics studies.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (175 words)
Bead-based enrichment is a promising strategy to improve depth in plasma proteomics by overcoming the dynamic range barrier. However, its robustness against pre-analytical variation has not been sufficiently characterized. Here, we systematically evaluate five plasma proteomics workflows, including three bead-based methods, a neat workflow, and a precipitation protocol using spike-ins of low-abundance proteins and defined cellular contaminants. We find that bead-based approaches enhance detection of low-abundance proteins but can be highly susceptible to systematic bias from platelet and PBMC contamination. This can inflate results by thousands of proteins, potentially explaining some of the high literature-reported numbers. A perchloric acid-based workflow shows resistance to erythrocyte and platelet-derived contamination. We investigate how centrifugation conditions, anticoagulant choice, and buffer-bead combinations modulate contamination profiles and demonstrate that bias can be mitigated by optimized sample handling. Altogether, we identify more than 13,000 different protein groups, including cellular components from the circulating proteome. Our results provide a quantitative framework for assessing workflow performance under variable sample quality and offer guidance for both biomarker discovery and quality control in clinical proteomics studies.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40940569 · DOI · PMC12603263
Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Photoaged Facial Skin: An Investigator-Blinded, Split-Face, Non-Inferiority Trial [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundExosomes, an emerging treatment of interest to aesthetic dermatology, have therapeutic applications in skin rejuvenation, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, acne scarring, and wound healing.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionASC exosomes are a promising PRP-alternative that may be attractive to needle-averse patients and can hasten the office visit duration, as phlebotomy and centrifugation are not required.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
BackgroundExosomes, an emerging treatment of interest to aesthetic dermatology, have therapeutic applications in skin rejuvenation, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, acne scarring, and wound healing. Platelet-rich plasma has been widely utilized for the same indications, among others. Currently, there are no trials comparing the two regenerative modalities in aesthetic dermatology.AimsTo compare the efficacy and safety of adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived (ASC) exosomes versus platelet-rich plasma for photoaged facial skin.MethodsAn investigator-blinded, split-face trial was conducted. Participants with mild to moderate photoaging underwent three radiofrequency microneedling treatments with PRP and topical exosomes each applied to one half of the face.ResultsBoth exosomes and PRP equally improved wrinkling, dyschromia, erythema, texture, and overall skin appearance. Histological analysis confirmed increased collagen I and glycosaminoglycans, without significant differences between treatment arms.ConclusionASC exosomes are a promising PRP-alternative that may be attractive to needle-averse patients and can hasten the office visit duration, as phlebotomy and centrifugation are not required.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40414798 · DOI · PMC12104007
Platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles delivered niraparib for ultrasound imaging and atherosclerosis treatment [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Macrophage-driven oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play pivotal roles in the progression of atherosclerosis.
- Closing excerpt
- Collectively, NGPPEVs have great potential in the precise diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (170 words)
Macrophage-driven oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play pivotal roles in the progression of atherosclerosis. Given the overactivation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in atherosclerosis, PARP inhibitors have potential therapeutic potential, but their efficacy is limited due to poor in vivo targeting. Platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs), which inherently target inflammatory sites and mitigate oxidative stress, offer a promising delivery platform. Here, we developed NGPPEVs, a nanoplatform that employs PEVs to deliver niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, followed by encapsulation of Ca(HCO₃)₂ to generate gas within cells, thereby combining targeted therapy with ultrasound imaging capabilities. In vitro, NGPPEVs significantly scavenged intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed pathways related to oxidative stress and cholesterol metabolism. Mechanistically, NGPPEVs suppressed foam cell formation by inhibiting the PARP1-IL-6-CD36 axis, leading to significant downregulation of the key scavenger receptor CD36. In apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet, NGPPEVs demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy, effectively reducing atherosclerotic plaque area and enhancing plaque stability. Collectively, NGPPEVs have great potential in the precise diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41652437 · DOI · PMC12977760
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article The temporal effect of platelet-rich plasma on pain and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [6]
- Research article PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials [7]
- Research article Trace elements in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article The effect of plasma transfusion on morbidity and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Prothrombin complex concentrates versus fresh frozen plasma for warfarin reversal. A systematic review and meta-analysis [10]
References
- Wu WS, Chen LR, Chen KH. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Molecular Mechanisms, Actions and Clinical Applications in Human Body. . 2025. PMID 41226837 · DOI · PMC12608683
- Korff K, Müller-Reif JB, Fichtl D, Albrecht V, Schebesta AS, Itang ECM, et al.. Pre-analytical drivers of bias in bead-enriched plasma proteomics. . 2025. PMID 40940569 · DOI · PMC12603263
- Estupiñan B, Ly K, Goldberg DJ. Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Photoaged Facial Skin: An Investigator-Blinded, Split-Face, Non-Inferiority Trial. . 2025. PMID 40414798 · DOI · PMC12104007
- Fang W, Zeng W, Huang Y, Chen A, Guo Y, Wen G, et al.. Platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles delivered niraparib for ultrasound imaging and atherosclerosis treatment. . 2026. PMID 41652437 · DOI · PMC12977760
- Laudy AB, Bakker EW, Rekers M, Moen MH. Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injections in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2015. PMID 25416198 · DOI
- Shen L, Yuan T, Chen S, Xie X, Zhang C. The temporal effect of platelet-rich plasma on pain and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res. 2017. PMID 28115016 · DOI · PMC5260061
- Filardo G, Previtali D, Napoli F, Candrian C, Zaffagnini S, Grassi A. PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cartilage. 2021. PMID 32551947 · DOI · PMC8808870
- Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Hemmelgarn B, Klarenbach S, Field C, Manns B, et al.. Trace elements in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2009. PMID 19454005 · DOI · PMC2698829
- Murad MH, Stubbs JR, Gandhi MJ, Wang AT, Paul A, Erwin PJ, et al.. The effect of plasma transfusion on morbidity and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transfusion. 2010. PMID 20345563 · DOI
- Chai-Adisaksopha C, Hillis C, Siegal DM, Movilla R, Heddle N, Iorio A, et al.. Prothrombin complex concentrates versus fresh frozen plasma for warfarin reversal. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Thromb Haemost. 2016. PMID 27488143 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.