Therapeutic Treatment with Sustained-Release Platelet-Rich Plasma Restores Blood Perfusion by Augmenting Ischemia-Induced Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis in Diabetic Mice

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to establish the effectiveness of sustained-release platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on perfusion and neovascularization in diabetic murine hind limb ischemia. Methods: After surgery in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, the mice were randomly assigned to the following 4 experimental groups: control (C), 100 mu l of the sustained-release form of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), 100 mu l of the solution form of PRP (PRP-sol), and 100 mu l of the sustained-release form of PRP (PRP-sr). Endpoint evaluations were: blood perfusion by laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), vascular density by anti-vWF, and mature vessel density by anti-smooth muscle actin antibody. Results: This study demonstrated that a sustained release of PRP increases the perfusion of ischemic tissue as measured by LDPI (57 +/- 12; 56 +/- 9; 72 +/- 7, and 98 +/- 4 for the C, PPP, PRP-sol, and PRP-sr groups, respectively; p < 0.05), capillary density (151 +/- 16; 158 +/- 12; 189 +/- 39, and 276 +/- 39 for groups C, PPP, PRP-sol, and PRP-sr, respectively; p < 0.05), and mature vessel density (28 +/- 2; 31 +/- 3; 52 +/- 10, and 85 +/- 13 for the C, PPP, PRP-sol, and PRP-sr groups, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusion: A sustained release of PRP containing potent angiogenic growth factors restores blood perfusion by stimulating angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel