Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a product derived from total blood centrifugation, rich in bioactive factors, such as growth factors. Despite largely used in healing processes, there is a controversy whether the therapy is effective in promoting skin healing. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the concentrations of the factors TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB in PRP, blood plasma and skin, at different phases of the healing process of skin treated or not with PRP. Seven healthy crossbred 16 to 17-year-old geldings (16.14±0.63) were used. Three quadrangular-shaped lesions (6.25cm²) were surgically induced into the right and left gluteal regions of all animals. Twelve hours after induction of the wounds, 0.5mL of the PRP was administered in each of the four edges of the wound in one of the gluteal regions (Treated group = TG) randomly chosen. The contralateral region was used as control (CG). The wounds were submitted to daily cleaning with Milli-Q water, and samples were obtained with a 6mm diameter biopsy Punch. Six skin biopsies were obtained, the first carried out immediately after the production of the wound (T0), and the others 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 7 (T3), and 14 (T4) days after the lesion was induced. The sixth biopsy (T5) was obtained after complete healing of the skin, which occurred at about day 37 (36.85±7.45, CG; 38.85±6.46, TG). EDTA blood samples were also obtained, at all the times mentioned. Quantification of TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB growth factors on the skin, PRP, and blood plasma was carried out by the ELISA technique. Data were statistically analyzed by the t test, Pearson correlation and regression, at a significance level of 5%. No difference was found between the groups in the values of the two growth factors measured on the skin, at the different times. Also, no correlation was found between the amount of growth factors present in the skin and plasma. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed between PRP and skin in the treated group, for the growth factors TGF-β1 (r=0.31) and PDGF-BB (r=0.38), as well as between both growth factors present in PRP (r=0.81). Considering the growth factor concentrations at T0, the highest skin values (p<0.05) of TGF-β1, in both groups, occurred at T3 and T5. Higher values (p<0.05) of PDGF-BB occurred at T4 (TG) and T5 (CG). No plasma changes occurred at the concentration of these factors in relation to T0, suggesting that PRP does not cause a systemic effect when the procedures adopted in this research are used. Local administration of PRP in the volume studied, 12 h after surgical induction of cutaneous wound gluteal equine does not cause higher concentrations of the growth factors TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB in the plasma and skin during the healing process.
Horses; platelet-rich concentrate; dermatopathy; systemic effect; ELISA
