In vivo study of wound healing processes in Sprague-Dawley model using human mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have a potential role in improving wound healing processes. This experimental study aims to compare PRP and MSCs to promote the wound healing process in the animal burn wound model. Methods: PRP from venous blood and MSCs from lipoaspirates were isolated from six donors. Saline solution was used as control while PRP and MSCs as treatment groups were injected to second-degree burn wounds into the backs of 10 male Sprague-Dawley rats for each group. On day-7, 5 rats from each group were euthanized for analyzing VEGF gene, which has roles in angiogenesis. At the end of the study (week 5), the remaining rats were euthanized for histological analysis. Results: The VEGF expression in MSCs and PRP groups was higher than the control group (not significant). The wound healing rate was also faster until 21 days post-burn in the MSCs and PRP groups and getting slowly afterward. Histological analysis showed the burned skin at day 35 had displayed the best differentiation outcome in the MSCs group. In conclusion, human-derived MSCs and PRP do not accelerate epithelialization duration of rats burn wound model. However, they improved wound’s vascularization and cell differentiation. Conclusion: MSCs are superior to PRP in enhancing cell differentiation.