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Platelet-Rich Fibrin Accelerates Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice
Yinjia Ding1, Lei Cui, Qiming Zhao
1From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, PLA Hospital of No. 117, Hangzhou; and †Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) significantly accelerates diabetic wound healing in mice. This novel therapy promotes blood vessel formation, offering a promising approach for treating diabetic foot ulcers.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Wound Healing Research
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose significant risks, including infection and amputation.
- Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) contains growth factors that promote wound healing.
- The efficacy of PRF in accelerating diabetic wound healing remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of PRF on skin wound healing in a diabetic mouse model.
- To assess PRF's impact on the healing rate and underlying biological mechanisms in diabetic wounds.
Main Methods:
- PRF was prepared from healthy volunteer blood.
- Symmetrical skin wounds were created on diabetic mice.
- Wounds were treated with either routine dressings (control) or PRF plus routine dressings (test) for 14 days.
Main Results:
- PRF treatment significantly improved the skin wound healing rate in diabetic mice.
- Histological analysis revealed increased capillary and CD31-positive cell counts in PRF-treated wounds.
- These findings suggest PRF promotes angiogenesis, contributing to accelerated healing.
Conclusions:
- Platelet-rich fibrin demonstrates potential in accelerating skin wound healing in diabetic models.
- The mechanism likely involves enhanced blood vessel formation (angiogenesis).
- PRF may offer a viable therapeutic option for managing diabetic wounds.
Abstract:
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are associated with an increased risk of secondary infection and amputation. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a platelet and leukocyte concentrate containing several cytokines and growth factors, is known to promote wound healing. However, the effect of PRF on diabetic wound healing has not been adequately investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of PRF on skin wound healing in a diabetic mouse model. Platelet-rich fibrin was prepared from whole blood of 8 healthy volunteers. Two symmetrical skin wounds per mouse were created on the back of 16 diabetic nude mice. One of the 2 wounds in each mouse was treated with routine dressings (control), whereas the other wound was treated with PRF in addition to routine dressings (test), each for a period of 14 days. Skin wound healing rate was calculated.Use of PRF was associated with significantly improved skin wound healing in diabetic mice. On hematoxylin and eosin and CD31 staining, a significant increase in the number of capillaries and CD31-positive cells was observed, suggesting that PRF may have promoted blood vessel formation in the skin wound. In this study, PRF seemed to accelerate skin wound healing in diabetic mouse models, probably via increased blood vessel formation.

