Effect of local administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on peripheral nerve regeneration: An experimental study in the rabbit model.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the nerve regenerative effect and behavior of Schwann cells (SCs) on local administration of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Twenty-eight Japanese white rabbits were used. A 15-mm sciatic nerve defect was created on the left limb. The resected nerve was used as a reverse autologous nerve. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 10), only nerve grafting was performed. In group B (n = 18), nerve grafting was performed with local PRP administration. Right limbs were used as control (group C, n = 28). The rabbits in each group were equally divided into two subgroups based on the evaluation period of 4 and 12 weeks after grafting. Electrophysiological evaluation, muscle wet-weight, histological evaluation, and multiple immunofluorescence staining were performed to investigate the regenerative effect of PRP. The mean regenerative axon diameter of the graft portion in group B (2.02 ± 0.22-μm) was significantly larger than that in group A (1.89 ± 0.16-μm) at 4 weeks. The regenerative axon number at the distal portion showed a greater increase in group B (9017 ± 2224/mm² ) than in group A (4955 ± 3117/mm² ) at 12 weeks. Electrophysiological evaluation and muscle wet-weight revealed no significant differences. On immunohistological evaluation, the number of activated SCs increased to a larger extent in group B (188 ± 90/mm² ) than in group A (117 ± 51/mm² ). Local PRP administration increases the regenerative axon diameter and the regenerative axon number at the distal portion. PRP accelerates SC proliferation in vivo.