An Experimental Study Comparing the Effects of Adipose Derived Stem Cells and Platelet Rich Plasma on Wound Healing in Rats
Abstract
Background: Large or chronic wounds may hinder the complex biological process of wound healing because of insufficient cellular resources and a poor regeneration response. Because of their ability to promote angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and tissue repair, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have drawn more attention as regenerative treatment options. This experimental study aimed to compare the effects of ADSCs and PRP on wound healing in rats.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on forty male albino rats. Ten rats were used as donors for ADSCs and PRP preparation, while thirty rats were divided into three study groups: Group I included 12 rats treated with ADSCs, Group II included 12 rats treated with PRP, and Group III included 6 control rats. Standardized wounds were created and evaluated at predetermined time points. Wound healing was assessed on days 3, 5, 7, and 14 using computerized image analysis software to measure wound surface area and calculate the wound-healing rate. Statistical comparison between groups was performed using mixed-design ANOVA.
Results: The survival of rats was uneventful apart from four mortalities during wound follow-up, which were replaced. A statistically significant difference in wound healing was found between all groups at all assessed time points (p<0.001). The ADSCs-treated group showed the highest mean healing percentage throughout the study, followed by the PRP-treated group, while the control group showed the lowest healing rate. On day 14, the mean healing rate reached 94.08% in the ADSCs group, 86.42% in the PRP group, and 71% in the control group. Healing significantly increased over time within each group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Both ADSCs and PRP significantly enhanced wound healing in rats compared with the control group. ADSCs demonstrated superior wound-healing effects compared with PRP at all studied time points, suggesting that ADSCs may represent a more effective regenerative option for accelerating wound repair.