Autologous Platelets-Rich Plasma Gel Promotes Neo-Vascularization and Re-Epithelization in Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rescued Horses

The skin is the largest organ in animals and plays a vital role in protecting them from pathogenic microorganisms and wounds (Qi et al., 2021). Different kinds of skin wounds are routinely encountered in veterinary clinics. Recovery of severe wounds can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as the duration of therapy and the treatment strategy, which affect the time and speed of healing (Wang et al., 2011). Despite the advances in wound closure techniques and devices, wound healing is still considered a challenge for surgeons (Desai et al., 2013). Horses, donkeys, and mules commonly develop cutaneous wounds. A horse’s performance is severely compromised by chronic non-healing wounds and abundant granulation tissue (proud flesh) and is a serious concern to its owners. The cost of wound restoration and delayed wound healing can pose a threat to proper wound healing. There are various growth factors, chemical mediators, cytokines, and types of cells involved in wound healing. Any alteration to this mechanism may result in chronic, non-healing wounds (Mickelson et al., 2016). The term chronic wounds refers to wounds that are not treated timely or do not heal in the appropriate way (Yolanda et al., 2014). As a result, there is a critical need for newer materials capable of enhancing the healing process in order to achieve optimal results.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a plasma component with 3-7 times the number of platelets than whole blood (Yan et al., 2021; Bos-Mikic et al., 2018; Merchán et al., 2019; Samadi et al., 2019). It also contains supraphysiological growth factors (GF) [insulin-like GF I, II, epidermal(GF, connective tissue GF, platelet derived GF, neural GF, vascular endothelium GF, hepatocyte GF, interleukin 8 (IL8), fibroblasts GF and transformed GF] and histamine, serotonin, calcium, zinc, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Due to these important factors, it is successfully used in mammalian reproduction, dermatology and orthopaedics (Yan et al., 2021; Marx, 2004; Irmak et al., 2020).

The platelet has a hemostatic function and high concentrations of growth factors and cytokines, which are essential for wound healing (Brissett and Hom, 2003). Higher concentrations of growth factors promote epithelial and endothelial cell regeneration, as well as angiogenesis and healing processes (Jee et al., 2016). PRP gel speeds up the healing process of wounds that are difficult to treat. Growth factors (GFs) secreted by platelets contribute to the healing process. A natural platelet activator, thrombin, promotes wound healing and is used to activate platelets. As a result, it reduces wound size, increases the ratio of fibroblasts to macrophages, and promotes fibroblast proliferation (Strukova et al., 2001). Numerous studies have confirmed the importance of PRP in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Some researchers report that PRP has an effective effect on the formation of new blood vessels. Pufe et al. (2005) point out that angiogenesis is controlled by naturally elevated levels of VEGF, a potent angiogenesis promoter. In addition to containing VEGF, PRP has been shown to increase VEGF synthesis (Eppley et al., 2004), suggesting that it can promote neovascularization (Eppley et al., 2004). Previous studies have shown that color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) can be used to diagnose tendon injuries and assess their repair processes (Kristoffersen et al., 2005; DeVos et al., 2007). However, according to a literature review, CDU has not been used to study the dynamic regulation of wound vasculature in equine full-thickness skin wound healing. Therefore, we used CDU to assess angiogenesis in an equine full-thickness skin wound healing model.

To the best of our knowledge, the efficacy of PRP gel for cutaneous wound healing has not been evaluated in rescued horses in Pakistan using ultrasonography or histopathology. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the repair of cutaneous wounds following topical application of autologous PRP in the form of a gel using color Doppler ultrasound and histological analysis.

The research was carried out on rescued horses with chronic skin wounds in Pakistan’s Punjab province’s Lahore district in accordance with rules and regulations of the Local Ethical Review Committee (Ethical Approval No. DR/458; Dated: 07/10/2020) at the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Pet Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. Throughout the experiment, all animals were housed in the Indoor University Stables as well as the Indoor Stables of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Lahore. Horses were subjected to plenty of drinking water, grass, and concentrated feedstuff prior to the start of the experimental trials.

According to the method of (DeRossi et al., 2009), the horse PRP was prepared using two blood tubes containing 10 mL of whole blood collected on the same day as the surgical operation. Blood was collected from each horse as part of the wound-healing study. We placed blood into two Falcon tubes (15 mL each) with 10% sodium citrate anticoagulant. We centrifuged the tubes at 300 g/ 10 m (SCILOGEX swing out centrifuge) to isolate the plasma red cells. Platelets remained in the blood’s upper portion, and an intermediate zone containing large platelets and white cells, mostly leukocytes, ran between the upper and lower layers. As a result, 500 µL of plasma from each tube was removed and transferred to tube A. It was then used to generate autogenous thrombin. PRP was made by transferring the remaining plasma and the intermediate zone to a separate tube called B. It was then incubated at room temperature. Then, tube A was added with 300 µL of 10% calcium gluconate, stirred well, and incubated at 37 °C for 15 min. Then, both tubes (A and B) were centrifuged at room temperature at 640 g/ 10m. We used the entire volume of tube A, which contained thrombin-rich substrate. Thrombin was added in a 2:1 ratio to tube A (2 mL of PRP: 1 mL of thrombin) after tube B had been discharged halfway. In 40 min at room temperature, the PRP gel formed. Cell visualisation and differentiation were improved with Neubauer’s camara and trypan blue (DeRossi et al., 2009), which were used to count the platelets. The optimal platelet enrichment was determined by multiplying 4.0 times’ baseline values. PRP platelets were on average 15.8 x 105, while whole blood platelets were on average 3.9 x 105.

Twelve rescued horses weighing between 350 and 450 kg and aged 5 to 10 years were selected in this study. The animals were housed in the indoor stables of the Lahore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A sufficient supply of water and dry fodder was provided. All horses were given access to mineral salt throughout the trial period. 12 horses were divided into two groups: the group A (PRP-treated) and the group B (control). Each animal’s wound in group A (n=6) was treated with autologous PRP gel, whereas animals in group B (n=6) received sterile saline.

Horses were sedated intravenously with Xylazine HCl (Xylaz@Farvet Holland) at a dose rate of 1.1 mg/Kg (Sadek et al., 2020). Each full-thickness skin wound (3 x 3 cm2) on either right or left region of back was dehaired and shaved from the edges before being separated from the subcutaneous tissue with scissors 25CM/10 (Noorani Surgical). After cleansing each site with sterile saline (NaCl 0.9 percent, Geofman), a thick coating of PRP gel was placed, which was then wrapped in sterile gauze and covered with a dressing. The bandage was removed after two days, and the wound was cleansed in sterile saline, coated with PRP gel, and wrapped. The treatment was given every four days until the 26th day. To limit granulation tissue overgrowth, semi-occlusive gauze containing PRP gel was applied to the skin wound with a soft bandage to allow fresh air. The PRP gel was reapplied to the wound every 8 days after the first 26 days. Similarly, following washing with Povidone-Iodine Solution (Pyodine Sol, Brookes Pharma), sterile saline was applied to the cutaneous wound in control Group B animals, and the bandage was placed using the same approach as in Group A animals. Over the wounds, sterile non-adherent semi-occlusive gauze was applied. Bandages were applied to the wounds (Surgitex, Rehman Rainbow (PVT.) LTD.). Prophylactic systemic antibiotics such as Biocon 5gm Inj. contain benzylpenicillin, procaine penicillin, and streptomycin sulphate (Vetcon Pharma) were administered intramuscularly twice a day for animal welfare, and the horses were kept in hygienic stables with limited exercise.

All skin wounds were scanned 14 and 28 days after surgery. Throughout the experiment, ultrasonography was performed by an experienced sonographer who was unaware of treatment options. The color Doppler ultrasound device MyLab Gamma® was used to perform ultrasound assessments. Ultrasound scans were performed using a high frequency 7.5-13 MHz linear array transducer. Wounds were examined in the transverse plane using transducers without stents and with a thin layer of acoustic coupling gel at the interface. The pressure applied by the sensor is kept to a minimum. Each CDU session was recorded and saved as a video clip for later assessment of vascularity using a semi-quantitative grading scale adapted from (Ohberg et al., 2001). On this scale, a scale of 0 means no detectable vessels, a scale of 1 means 1 to 2 small vessels, a scale of 2 means some small vessels or 1 to 2 larger vessels, and a scale of 3 means some larger vessels, while grade 4 indicates diffuse vascularization. Clips were blinded and analyzed independently by two observers. For statistical purposes, the scores of the two observers were averaged.

All horses were sedated prior to surgery and biopsy site were scrubbed with saline solution and gauze. Full-thickness specimens were collected using a 6 mm surgical biopsy punch. At both wound edges, we performed biopsies of a 3 to 4 mm diameter area of uninjured skin and a 4 to 5 mm depth of subcutaneous tissue. Prior to being transferred to 70% alcohol, the samples were fixed for 24 hours in 10% neutral buffered formalin. To assess neovascularization and re-epithelialization, tissues were fixed in paraffin, separated at 1.5 m thickness, and stained with cytokeratin. Using a semi-quantitative grading scale, two observers blindly evaluated all cytokeratin-stained slides. The degree of re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and fibroblasts scoring was based a semi-quantitative scoring scale: 0 (absent), 1 (minimal), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), and 4 (marked) (Sabol et al., 2012).

All data were statistically assessed by student t-test between the both groups using Graphpad prism (version 7.04, graphpad software Inc., San Diego, CA). All data were showed as mean ± standard error (Mean± SEM). The level of significance “*” showed (P<0.05) and “**” showed (P<0.01).

At day 14, the PRP-treated wound showed mild development of blood vessels, whereas the control wound showed no development of neo-vascularization. Similarly, PRP-treated wounds showed increased development of neo-vascularization on day 28, whereas control wounds showed mild development of neo-vascularization on day 28 as shown in (Fig. 1). Statistically, PRP-treated wounds had a significantly (P<0.01) higher score of neo-vascularization at day 14 and day 28 when compared to control wounds (Fig. 2A, B).

Histopathological results for neovascularization indicated that PRP treated wound obtained at day 14 showed mild development of blood vessels, while Control wound showed no development of neo-vascularization at day 14. Similarly, PRP treated wound showed increased development of neo-vascularization at day 28, while saline treated wound at day 28 showed mild development of neo-vascularization as indicated in (Fig. 3). Statistically,

compared with the Control wounds, PRP-treated wounds had highly significantly (P<0.01) increased level of neo-vascularization at day 14 and day 28 as indicated in (Fig. 4A, B). Similarly, number of fibroblasts scoring in the PRP-treated wounds were highly significantly (P<0.01) higher at day 14 and day 28 compared with the Control wounds as indicated in (Fig. 4C, D).

Histopathological results for re-epithelization indicated that PRP treated wounds obtained at 14 day indicated accelerated epithelial growth, increased proliferation of connective tissue, while saline treated wounds showed no development of epithelial growth, no basal lamina growing, and mild proliferation of connective tissue. At day 28, the PRP treated wound showed increased epidermal growth, intact basal layer, multiple layers of stratum spinosum visible, stratum corneum also visible, and increased fibrous connective tissue, while saline treated wounds indicated mild epithelial growth, basal lamina growing, and mild proliferation of connective tissue as indicated in (Fig. 5). Statistically, PRP-treated wounds had a highly significant (P<0.01) enhanced level of basal epithelial growth scoring at day 14 and day 28 compared to control wounds, as shown in (Fig. 6A, B).

Ultrasonography offers the advantages of being widely accessible, non-invasive, and ability to process real-time data (Anderson et al., 2001). Because of these advantages, sonography is excellent for time course monitoring. Thus, we aimed to assess neo-vascularization in a rescued equine full-thickness cutaneous wound healing model using Color Doppler ultrasonography and cytokeratin stain.

Recent research has shown that an absence of oxygen supply and an initial inflammatory response after tissue injury induce a distinct response in which a microvascular network arises in the wounds (Tonnesen et al., 2000; Carmeliet and Jain, 2011). As wounds heal, endothelial capillaries sprouts within the fibrin/fibronectin-rich wound clot and, within a few days, form a microvascular network within scar tissue (Tonnesen et al., 2000). The density of blood vessels decreases as collagen builds up in granulation tissues and scar tissue forms (Tonnesen et al., 2000). Blood vessel forms around the borders of the wound provide the necessary nutrition and oxygen for wound healing (Potente et al., 2011). The quality of wound healing is determined by the quantity and quality of neovascularization. Through binding to the vascular endothelium, VEGF acts as a growth factor that promotes the proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis, mimicking wound angiogenesis (Zachary, 2003; Yu et al. 2019). A recent study has shown that platelet-rich plasma can enhance angiogenesis after a cutaneous wound by increasing endothelial cell proliferation and VEGF expression. We also found that PRP led to increased neovascularization around the wound and enhanced the effective secretion of VEGF in the wound tissue, confirming its beneficial effects on angiogenesis. Unfortunately, the results of this study cannot be directly connected to VEGF since there is no suitable quantitative test method available for horse VEGF. In the present study, PRP-treated wounds had a significantly (P<0.01) higher level of neovascularization at day 14 and day 28 compared to control wounds, which was consistent with previous research described by (Kristoffersen et al., 2005; Bosch et al., 2010; Ohberg et al., 2001).

PRP has been shown to enhance cutaneous wound repair, and it is commonly used to treat chronic wound. Skin wound repair is dependent on four factors: swelling, vasculature, scarring, and re-epithelialization (Kristoffersen et al., 2005; Bosch et al., 2010; Ohberg et al., 2001). However, there has been no comprehensive examination of the impact of PRP on these parameters. In this study, we found that the beneficial effects of PRP gel on re-epithelialization and neo-vascularization worked together to improve skin wound healing in rescued horses.

Re-epithelialization is essential for successful cutaneous wound repair. The proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells initiates the re-epithelialization process, in which multiple growth factors play a critical roles including VEGF (Bao et al., 2009), epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Choi et al., 2017), FGF (Choi et al., 2017; Xie et al., 2008), TGF-β (Le et al., 2012; Chong et al., 2020), PDGF (Wu et al., 2019) and IGF-1 (Gartner et al., 1992). PRP treatment has initially been shown to accelerate re-epithelialization and epidermal differentiation in equine wounds (Carter et al., 2003). PRP has the potential to significantly improve wound re-epithelialization by increasing the thickness and length of the neo-epidermal tissue (Carter et al., 2003). Our findings were agreement with the previous study described by (Carter et al., 2003).

Strukova et al. (2001) have indicated that activated platelets decrease wound size by raising the fibroblast to macrophage ratio as well as promoting proliferative fibroblasts. It might also be due to VEGF release, a trigger of angiogenesis that promotes both endothelial and fibroblast proliferation (Carter et al., 2003; Kliche and Waltenberger, 2001). In current study, the number of fibroblast were increased at 14 days and 28 days compared with the control animals that supporting that PRP gel promoted re-epithelization and angiogenesis in the cutaneous wound healing in rescued horses.

In conclusion, PRP-treated wounds accelerated cutaneous wound healing by fostering re-epithelialization and neovascularization in rescued horses compared to control wounds. Therefore, this study suggested the use of autologous PRP gel to treat cutaneous wounds in rescued horses, which is a safe and effective method. The color Doppler ultrasonography can be used to assess neovascularization during wound healing.

We acknowledged the Dr. Ghulam Mustafa and Shehla Gul Bokhari who helped us to evaluate the histopathological findings of cytokeratin stain and color Doppler ultrasonography.

This study has no financial support.

The study was IBR approved on 25/11/2020 (DAS: 1432).

This study and all procedures were approved and carried out following the Ethical Review Committee’s rules and regulations (Ethical Approval No. DR/458; Dated: 07/10/2020) at the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Pet Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

All data supporting the study were obtained from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.