Effects of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membrane on Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

Abstract

Alternative treatment approaches to improve the regeneration capacity of damaged peripheral nerves are currently under investigation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane after sciatic nerve crush injury in rabbits by histomorphometric and electromyographic analysis. The left sciatic nerves of 20 male Vienna rabbits were clamped for 30seconds to induce crush injuries. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups: PRF and control. For each animal in the PRF group, a PRF membrane was wrapped around the injured part of the sciatic nerve to form a tube. No additional treatment was performed in the control group. After a 12-week healing period, tissue samples from the injured nerve region were harvested and the g-ratio of axons, axon density, and impulse transmission changes were evaluated. Analysis revealed that axon density differences were not statistically significant between groups (P=0.139). The rate of nerve fibers with optimum g-ratio was significantly lower in the PRF group than in the control group (P=0.02). Conduction velocity differences between groups were not statistically significant. Although PRF application has previously shown positive regeneration effects on maxillofacial tissues, local PRF membrane application in tube form did not show any histomorphometric or functional improvement in peripheral nerve crush injury recovery.