[Effect of platelet rich plasma on the regeneration of cavernous nerve: experiment with rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the regeneration of injured cavernous nerve (CN).


METHODS
Blood was collected from the hearts of 6 SD rats to prepare PRP. 24 male adult rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: pure suture group undergoing bilateral CN transaction and pure suture immediately, PRP group undergoing bilateral CN transaction + suture + PRP 200 microl to the site of suture, and sham operation group. 3 months later intracavernous pressure (ICP) was measured by CN electrostimulation and then samples of CN were obtained to undergo pathological examination.


RESULTS
3 months later after surgery, the ICP of the pure suture group was (46 +/- 8) cm H2O, significantly lower than that of the sham group [(109 +/- 13) cm H2O, P < 0.01], and that of the PRP group was (94 +/- 13) cm H2O, significantly higher than that of the pure sutured group (P < 0.01), however, still significantly lower than that of the sham operation group (P < 0.05). The number of axons of CN in the PRP group was (121 +/- 16), significantly higher than that of the pure sutured group (70 +/- 14, P < 0.01); however, still significantly lower than that of the sham operation group (181 +/- 21, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
PRP can promote the regeneration of injured CN and the recovery of erectile function.
Ding
Xie-gang
XG
Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
Li
Shi-wen
SW
Zheng
Xin-min
XM
Hu
Li-quan
LQ
Hu
Wan-li
WL
Luo
Yi
Y
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010413:Penis / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley