Platelet-Rich Fibrin Promotes an Accelerated Healing of Achilles Tendon When Compared to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Rat.
BACKGROUND
Autologous platelet concentrate has been used to improve the function and regeneration of injured tissues. Tendinopathies are common in clinical practice, although long-term treatment is required. On the basis of lead time, we compared the effect of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in repairing rat Achilles tendon.


METHODS
The effectiveness of using PRP and PRF was evaluated after 14 and 28 postoperative days by histological analysis. The quantification of collagen types I and III was performed by Sirius red staining. Qualitatively, the data were verified with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining.


RESULTS
In Sirius red staining, no significant treatment differences were found between groups. Statistical difference was observed only between PRP (37.2% collagen) and the control group (16.2%) 14 days after treatment. Intra-groups compared twice showed a difference for collagen I (27.8% and 47.7%) and III (66.9% and 46.0%) in the PRF group. The control group showed differences only in collagen I (14.2% and 40.9%) and no other finding was observed in the PRP group. In H&E staining, PRF showed a better cellular organization when compared to the other groups at 28 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that PRF promotes accelerated regeneration of the Achilles tendon in rats, offering promising prospects for future clinical use.
Laboratory of Medical Abilities and Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil;
Franciele
F
Dietrich
Laboratory of Medical Abilities and Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil;
Gustavo
G
L Duré
Laboratory of Medical Abilities and Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil;
Caroline
C
P Klein
Laboratory of Medical Abilities and Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil;
Vinícius
V
F Bampi
Service of Hand Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, São Lucas Hospital, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil;
Alexandre
A
V Padoin
Service of Pathology Anatomy and Cytopathology, São Lucas Hospital, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil.
Vinícius
V
D Silva
Laboratory of Medical Abilities and Surgical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; ; Service of Hand Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, São Lucas Hospital, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil;
Jefferson
J
Braga-Silva
Achilles tendon; Healing; Platelet-rich fibrin; Platelet-rich plasma