title: Effects of platelet-rich plasma on nerve regeneration in a rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether platelet-rich plasma has a regenerative effect on a sciatic nerve injury model in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sciatic nerve cut model was created in 24 nerves of 12 rats. All nerves were repaired with epineural sutures by the same surgeon. Rats were randomly divided into two groups; platelet-rich plasma was applied to the injury site in the platelet-rich plasma group and saline only to the same area in the control group. Motor and electromyographic assessments were performed at the end of 12th postoperative week and all rats were euthanized for histological specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motor recovery was significantly better in the platelet-rich plasma group than the control group. The differences in electromyographic and histomorphometric findings between the groups were significant (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experimental study demonstrated positive effects of platelet-rich plasma on nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey. kucuklevent@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Küçük
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Günay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oytun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erbaş
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tepecik Research and Training Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ülkü
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Küçük
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atamaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coşkunol
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004576:Electromyography; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D051381:Rats; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*