Evaluation of human platelet gel effect on production process and expression level of VEGF in experimental skin wounds in rat

Abstract Background and Objectives Platelet gel prepared from platelet-rich plasma, containing growth factors, accelerates reconstruction of skin layers, stimulation of angiogenesis and increase of collagen synthesis in wounds healing process. In this study, the effect of human platelet gel on was investigated VEGF expression in experimental skin wounds in rat.   Materials and Methods In this experimental study, platelet gel was prepared by adding thrombin to platelet-rich plasma. 1.5×1.5 cm wound was created on back of the body in 24 male Wistar rats. Then, the rats were divided into two control and treated groups with the application of platelet gel on the wound. Then, each group was divided into 4 subgroups with three rats for sampling on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 14th days. Skin wound samples were studied by using H & E staining and Mason Trichrome methods for histopathological examination. Furthermore, fluorescent immunohistochemistry method was used to measure the expression level of VEGF.   Results The rate of epithelial tissue formation in the fifth day was 2 ± 0.3 and 1 ± 0.1 in the treated and control groups, respectively. The results of this study revealed that angiogenesis, epithelial tissue formation and collagen formation and inflammatory cells infiltration, in the treated group were higher than the control group, especially at the early stages of wound healing. Moreover, IHC findings showed that VEGF expression level is higher in the treated group than the control.   Conclusions  The topical application of platelet gel on skin lesions has a positive effect on the healing process, especially in the early stages.