Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma(PRP) on Regeneration of Rat Sciatic Nerve in a Silicone Chamber.

Minn, Kyung Won; Jeong, Eui Cheol; Chang, Hak; Kwon, Sung Tack; Kim, Suk Wha; Baek, Rong Min

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2010;37(2):105-109.
Published online March 1, 2010.

Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma(PRP) on Regeneration of Rat Sciatic Nerve in a Silicone Chamber.

Kyung Won Minn, Eui Cheol Jeong, Hak Chang, Sung Tack Kwon, Suk Wha Kim, Rong Min Baek

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
²SMG-SUN Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. ejeong@kma.org

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of platelet-rich plasma(PRP) on rat sciatic nerve regeneration in a 10mm silicone chamber. METHODS: A total of 6 inbred Lewis rats were used in this study. Bilateral sciatic neurectomy was performed on each rat. On one side, silicone chambers containing PRP solutions were implanted; on the contralateral side, the chambers without PRP were implanted as a control. In 12 weeks post-implantation, chambers were retrieved and both gastrocnemius muscles were excised. Nerves biopsy samples were examined under a light microscope after Masson trichrome staining.
RESULTS
Cross sections of the midpoints of PRP treated nerves were significantly larger and appeared more mature than those of controls.
CONCLUSION
Based on morphological evidence, PRP has a positive effect on neural regeneration, and it may therefore be useful for treating peripheral nerve injuries.

Keywords: Nerve regeneration; Platelet-rich plasma; Sciatic nerve; Entubulation