Effects of different platelet-rich plasma administration methods on peripheral nerve regeneration: A histomorphometric study

Abstract

Peripheral nerve damage is a common medical problem that frequently leads to significant functional limitations and long-term disabilities. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a growth factor-rich substance, promotes axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injuries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PRP on axonal regeneration in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) after peripheral nerve injury via histomorphometric analysis. This study used a post-test-only control-group design. Twenty-five white rats were randomly assigned to the control or treatment groups (n=5). The control group consisted of the sham-operated and saline groups. The treatment groups consisted of local, intraperitoneal, or combined PRP. A single dose of PRP was administered after axonotmesis of the sciatic nerve. After 21 days, a surgical procedure was performed to extract sciatic nerve tissue, which was then stained with Luxol fast blue for histomorphometric analysis. The mean diameter of the fibers, diameter of the axons, number of axons, and myelin sheath thickness were analyzed using MANOVA (p<0.05). Compared with the saline group, the PRP treatment group presented a greater number of regenerating myelinated axons with larger fiber and axon diameters, and thicker myelin (p<0.05). The myelinated axons in the sham-operated group showed a typical morphology, whereas those in the saline group showed a decrease in myelinated axons, smaller fiber and axon diameters, and thinner, irregular myelin sheaths. Injection of a combination of PRP, both intraperitoneally and locally, promoted the regeneration of damaged nerves in rats.

Keywords

• Platelet-Rich plasma
• peripheral nerve injury
• nerve regeneration
• axonotmesis

Ethical Statement

All experimental procedures were approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia (Ref. no: 168/KEPH/IX/2022, September 14 2022).

Thanks

The authors thank all staff researchers for their support.

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