Biologics
Autologous Cytokine Rich Serum (ACRS)
What is ACRS?
Autologous cytokine rich serum (ACRS) is derived from whole blood and is preferentially enriched with growth factors and cytokines, specifically the anti-inflammatory compound interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Thus, ACRS is a powerful biologic for fighting inflammation of any kind including degenerative joint wear (OA) and skin inflammation.
Controlling The Anti-Inflammatory Cascade
Our body controls inflammatory processes via special messengers (proteins). These messengers dock onto corresponding signal sites of the cells in the tissue and transmit their message: “trigger inflammation” or “stop inflammation”. In case of osteoarthritis, the balance of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory messengers is disrupted in the affected joint.
Due to an imbalance of the body’s proteins, the damaging interleukin-1 (IL-1) causes cartilage damage, inflammation and pain. The natural antagonist of interleukin-1 is the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) which is called “osteoarthritis-inhibiting protein”.
The osteo- arthritis-inhibiting protein (IL-1Ra) occupies specific synapses – or signal sites of the cells – on cartilage cells and synovial membrane cells so that the damaging protein IL-1 is prevented access to these cell areas.
Commonly used applications
By effectively controlling the inflammatory cascade, ACRS may be used to effectively treat inflammatory conditions in the following medical areas:
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Orthopedics & Sport Medicine
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Physical Rehabilitation & Pain Management
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Cosmetic & Aesthetic Medicine
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Dentistry
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Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Watch IL-1Ra in Action
Not all ACRS is Equal
ACRS is created through activation of monocytes and thrombocytes in whole blood, releasing cytokines and interleukins into the solution. However, not all technologies used to create ACRS are equal.
When selecting an ACRS system, it is important to consider the following items -
1. Total Process (Incubation) Time
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Cytokines are released from monocytes and thrombocytes while exposed to various environmental conditions. While ceramic beads or additives may be added to whole blood to initiate this, time & temperature are important environmental variables to ensure a significant number of cytokines are released into the solution. Without sufficient incubation (>3 hours), anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1Ra will remain at very low levels ¹.
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However, incubation periods longer than 3+ hours may prove to be impractical for private practice applications.
2. The difference between ACRS vs. PRP
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The technology used to create ACRS is such that it preferentially enriches the solution with a high concentration of IL-1Ra, making it a treatment option for any inflammatory condition. Commercially PRP systems are able to achieve higher concentrations of platelets than ACRS. When used in combination, the ACRS may provide a strong anti-inflammatory effect while PRP delivers a long-term, regenerative effect.
Product Information
Sanakin
With Sanakin Technology, physicians can create an autologous cytokine rich serum (ACRS) derived from the blood of a patient without any additives to maximize tolerability. This ACRS contains increased concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines and important growth factors to treat all kinds of inflammation.
References
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Data on file