Histological response to platelet-rich plasma added to polypropylene mesh implemented in rabbits

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is part of a set of biotechnologies, providing some growth factors that promote repair of different tissues. The polypropylene meshes (PPM) are applied in the correction of abdominal defects, pelvic floor and urinary incontinence, however, they induce many significant complications, as a result of an inappropriate inflammatory response.

To investigate the changes caused by PRP associated with the implantation of PPM in the abdomen of female rabbits, in the production of collagen I and III and the inflammatory infiltrate (ININ).

We performed implant meshes with and without PRP in adult rabbits (n=30) and euthanasia at 7, 30 and 90 days. Two plates were prepared from each animal and analyzed in five different fields. The ININ was evaluated by quantification of inflammatory cells using hematoxylin-eosin and the collagen by Sirius red method. The results were analyzed applying the Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Junckheere and Friedmann tests.

There was a significant difference in the number of inflammatory cells between the groups with and without PRP (p=0.01) at 90 days. There was increased production of collagen I, III and total with the use of PRP, at seven days.

The PPM coating with PRP was associated with increased ININ at the implant area, and an increasing trend during the process of tissue repair. The PPM coated with PRP was related to increased concentration of collagen I, collagen III and the concentration of total collagen increased after seven days of implantation.