Evaluating the effectiveness of injections of autologous endometrial cells and platelet-rich plasma in infertile patients with a thin uterine lining

The study evaluated the effectiveness of injections of autologous endometrial cells (AEC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in infertile women with a thin endometrium (uterine lining). The study found that PRP injections and injections of AEC suspended in PRP improved the cells and thickness of the endometrium.

The endometrium is the lining of the uterus (womb). It plays a vital role in embryo implantation and pregnancy. However, when the endometrium is thin (less than 7mm), there is a risk of poor pregnancy results.

PRP therapy involves injections in the endometrium of the patient’s own concentration of platelets (blood cells that help with clotting) to accelerate healing. The use of autologous PRP has shown improvement in endometrial thickness, implantation, and pregnancy rate compared to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Autologous PRP promotes cell growth and the formation of new blood vessels. Whether mixing AEC (cells from the inner layer of the endometrium of the patient) with PRP improves endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcomes is still under investigation.

The study included 115 patients with a thin endometrium and infertility. The participants were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Group 1 received conservative treatment (electrical impulse therapy). Group 2 received PRP injections into the endometrium. Group 3 received conservative treatment followed by PRP injections. Group 4 received injections of the AEC suspended in PRP. Patients were followed by pelvic ultrasound.

There was a significant increase in endometrial thickness in all groups at the next implantation cycle. Group 3 had a significantly higher endometrial thickness compared to group 1. Group 4 had a significantly higher endometrial thickness compared to groups 1 and 2. 

Groups 2 and 3 had significantly better blood circulation in the endometrium.

The study concluded that the use of injections of PRP and AEC in patients with a thin endometrium significantly improved endometrial thickness.

The study sample size was small. Also, there was no evaluation of the impact of PRP and AEC on pregnancy outcomes. More studies are needed to validate this therapy.