Potential Usefulness of Losartan as an Antifibrotic Agent and Adjunct to Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy to Improve Muscle Healing and Cartilage Repair and Prevent Adhesion Formation

Orthopedics. 2018 Sep 1;41(5):e591-e597. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20180806-05. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Abstract

Postoperative tissue fibrosis represents a major complication in orthopedics. Transforming growth factor beta 1 is a key molecule in the development of postoperative fibrosis. High concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 have also been implicated in various diseases. Agents that counteract the actions of transforming growth factor beta 1 have been investigated as potential antifibrotic medications and as adjunct treatment to platelet-rich plasma injections (increased amounts of transforming growth factor beta 1) to improve their effectiveness and/or safety profile. Losartan blocks transforming growth factor beta 1 action and has attracted special interest in orthopedic research that focuses on how to reduce the risk of postoperative fibrosis. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(5):e591-e597.].

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cartilage / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Losartan / therapeutic use*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Orthopedic Procedures / adverse effects
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Tissue Adhesions / prevention & control*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Antifibrinolytic Agents
  • TGFB1 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Losartan