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. 2010 Feb;34(1):143-8.
doi: 10.1007/s00264-009-0728-y. Epub 2009 Feb 11.

Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis after local administration of platelet-rich plasma in a patellar tendon defect

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Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis after local administration of platelet-rich plasma in a patellar tendon defect

Dimitris Lyras et al. Int Orthop. 2010 Feb.

Abstract

A full thickness defect was made in the central portion of the patellar tendon of 48 New Zealand white rabbits. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel was then applied and filled the tendon defect. The same procedure was performed in the control group, without the application of PRP. Animals were sacrificed after one, two, three, and four weeks. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses using a monoclonal antibody against CD31 were performed. The histological examination showed a superior healing process in the PRP group compared with the control group. Especially in the third week, the tissue formed in the PRP group was more mature and dense with less elastic fibres remaining. Neovascularisation was significantly higher in the PRP group during the first two weeks and significantly lower in the third and fourth weeks (p < 0.0001). Histological examination and study of angiogenesis showed that the application of PRP enhances and accelerates the tendon healing process.

Etude immuno histochimique de l’angiogénèse après administration locale d’un plasma enrichi en plaquettes sur le tendon rotulien de lapins après résection de la portion centrale du tendon. Matériel et méthode: une lésion portant sur toute l’épaisseur du tendon a été réalisée sur la partie centrale du tendon rotulien de 48 lapins blancs de Nouvelle Zélande. Un gel plasma riche en plaquettes (PRP) a été appliqué comblant la lésion tendineuse. La même technique a été réalisée sur un groupe contrôle sans application de PRP. Les animaux ont été sacrifiés après 1, 2, 3 et 4 semaines. Une étude histologique et immuno histochimique a été réalisée utilisant un anticorps monoclonal anti CD31. Résultat: l’examen histologique a montré un meilleur processus de cicatrisation dans le groupe PRP que dans le groupe contrôle. Après trois semaines, le tissu néformé dans le groupe PRP est plus mature et plus dense et contient moins de fibres élastiques. La néovasclarisation est significativement plus haute dans le groupe PRP au cours des deux premières semaines et significativement abaissée à la troisième et quatrième semaine (p < 0,0001). Discussion: l’examen histologique et l’étude de l’angiogénèse montre que l’application de PRP améliore et accèlère le processus de cicatrisation tendineuse.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Representative high vascularised areas demonstrating CD31 immunoreactivity in 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of wound healing (all images were captured under 400x magnification). A,B High CD31 expression seen in the first week in both groups. C,D CD31 expression (and thus vessel formation) increased faster in the PRP group from 1 to 2 weeks than in the control group. E,F As the wound healing progresses with time, CD31 declines faster in the PRP group. G,H A healed tendon in the PRP group, while some CD31 expression still remained in the control group
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Longitudinal sections of patellar tendon from the control group (A) and the PRP group (B) at 3 weeks (eosin4hematoxylin stain, x100 original magnification). Fibroelastic tissue is more prominent in the control group, while in the PRP group the wounded site is almost healed, demonstrating better cell orientation and tissue maturation

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