Platelet-rich plasma gel in combination with Schwann cells for repair of sciatic nerve injury

The study investigates a novel approach to repairing nerve damage using tissue engineering. Specifically, it explores the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel as a matrix for delivering Schwann cell-like cells to the site of injury. The PRP gel is mixed with Schwann cells and then implanted into a nerve conduit to bridge a gap in the sciatic nerve of rabbits. The effectiveness of this method is then compared to a control group using fibrin as the matrix. The study found that PRP gel, when used as a seeding matrix for Schwann cells, can effectively promote peripheral nerve regeneration. This includes increasing the number of nerve fibers, the thickness of the myelin sheath, and improving nerve function.

• 1
  Platelet-rich plasma group demonstrated a significant increase in the number of regenerating nerve fibers and thickness of the myelin sheath compared with the fibrin group (P < 0.05).
• 2
  The platelet-rich plasma group demonstrated a significant increase in the number of Fluoro-gold-positive neurons compared with the fibrin group (P < 0.05).
• 3
  Compound muscle action potential and nerve conduction velocity were significantly increased in the platelet-rich plasma group compared to the fibrin group.