Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Repairs Burn Wound and Reduces Burn Pain in Rats

To investigate the effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on burn wound and burn pain in rats. Rats were treated with high-temperature copper rod to induce skin burn. During treatment, the wound area of rats was recorded on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14 and healing rates were calculated. After 14-day treatment, the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) as well as paw withdrawal thermal latency were measured. In addition, CD31 expression in burn wound was detected by immunohistochemistry. The contents of TNF-α and IL-1β in wound tissues were detected by ELISA. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 in wound tissues were detected by RT-qPCR together with Western blot. Burn wound of rats in the PRP group gradually got better with a decreased wound area. Compared with the NS group, the wound area of the PRP group was significantly reduced and the healing rate was significantly increased. Meanwhile, PWMT of the rats in the PRP group was obviously increased compared with the NS group. Compared with the NS group, the rate of CD31-positive cells in the wound tissue of burned rats was increased; while the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly decreased after a subcutaneous injection of PRP. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 in the wound tissue of rats from PRP group were evidently increased. Autologous platelet-rich plasma not only shortened the healing time, but also relieved the burn pain.