Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Superior to Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma in Improving Muscle Healing by Promoting Angiogenesis

Therapies involving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been validated in extant research to be efficacious for acute muscle injury treatment. The influence of PRP leukocyte concentration on muscle regeneration under acute muscle injury conditions is uncertain. We executed our current research with the purpose of probing the influence exerted by leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) treatment and that exerted by leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) treatment on muscle regeneration. A rat model of muscle injury was adopted. Treatment involved local LR-PRP, LP-PRP, or normal saline injection at 1 day after muscle injury. At 7, 14, and 21 days post-injury, muscle regeneration was evaluated. Specifically, to evaluate such regeneration, histological sections underwent immunofluorescence staining, and muscle contractile properties were assessed. Angiogenesis was detected through a tube formation assay as well as through immunofluorescence staining that was executed for both CD31 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. LR-PRP was noted to increase centronucleated myofiber quantity and myofiber size to a greater extent when contrasted against LP-PRP. In addition, in injured muscles, LR-PRP was determined to enhance fast-twitch strength recovery and tetanic strength recovery. Both PRP variants promoted In Vitro and In Vivo angiogenesis, with LR-PRP promoting angiogenesis to a significantly greater extent. LR-PRP improves muscle regeneration by promoting angiogenesis.