Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy when combined with fresh and frozen platelet-rich plasma on chronic wound healing in rats

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has an added dimension to the armamentarium of treating complicated chronic wounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of HBOT on chronic wounds when combined with fresh and frozen platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHODS: Rats were divided into two main groups containing 18 rats in each group as HBOT received and non-received. Each group was divided into three subgroups as Group 1: Control, Group 2: Fresh, and Group 3: Frozen PRP applied. For PRP preparation, 10 rats were used. Histologic parameters including fibroblast, collagen fibers, lymphocytes, and vessels were evaluated by Clemex Vision Lite 3.5; wound sizes were evaluated by ImageJ digital analyzing program. RESULTS: In HBOT received group, the number of fibroblasts, collagen fibers, lymphocytes, and vessels in all fresh and frozen PRP applied and control subgroups were significantly higher than hyperbaric oxygen non-received group (p<0.05). In HBOT received group, wound surface area measurement values of control, fresh, and frozen PRP applied groups at 5-10-15 days were lower than HBOT non-received group. CONCLUSION: HBOT accelerates wound healing when combined with both fresh and frozen PRP. Frozen PRP is as effective as fresh form to be considered as an alternative in clinical setting.