Effects of platelet-rich plasma on the repair of wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimb in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma on wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimb in horses.


METHODS
6 mixed-breed 10- to 15-year-old mares.


METHODS
3 wounds were created on metacarpal regions in each of 6 horses (n = 36 wounds total). Eighteen wounds were treated with platelet-rich plasma and bandaged, whereas 18 control wounds were similarly bandaged with no prior topical treatment. Decrease in wound surface area and the required number of excisions of exuberant granulation tissue were recorded until complete healing. Tissue specimens were taken from wounds at 1 week for histologic examination and measurement of transforming growth factor-beta1 concentrations and at closure for histologic examination, biomechanical evaluation, and measurement of collagen type I and type III mRNA.


RESULTS
Platelet-rich plasma favored excessive development of granulation tissue and significantly slowed wound healing at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. Transforming growth factor-beta1 had a 1.6-fold higher concentration in treated wounds, compared with untreated wounds. Histologic, biomechanical, and gene expression data did not differ significantly between treated and control wounds.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical application of autologous platelet-rich plasma did not accelerate or improve the quality of repair of small granulating wounds on limbs of horses. This treatment may better suit wounds with massive tissue loss or, alternatively, chronic wounds that would benefit from a fresh source of mediators to accelerate the healing process.
Monteiro
Susana O
SO
Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, Département Hippique, Marcy L'Etoile, F-69280, France.
Lepage
Olivier M
OM
Theoret
Christine L
CL
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D005552:Forelimb / Q000293:injuries*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta