Effect of Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma on Appearance of Tenocytes at Injured Achilles Tendon Entheses in Rabbits

Objective: To determine the effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma on appearance of tenocytes at injured Achilles tendon entheses in rabbits. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy and Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from March to May, 2018. Methodology: Forty healthy male, 4-6 months old New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2000-2500 gm, were randomly divided into four equal groups A, B, C and D. Group A served as control, while B, C and D were experimental groups. Injury was surgically induced at left Achilles tendon entheses of experimental groups, which were treated with injections of autologous platelet-rich plasma, at the time of induction of injury in group C and two weeks after injury in group D, while no treatment was given in group B. Animals were euthanised at the end of 12 weeks. Specimens were taken and processed for histological observations. Bonar's modified score was used to assess the appearance of tenocytes. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test was applied and p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Experimental group B showed marked deterioration in Bonar's score as compared to the control group A. The scores were significantly improved in treatment groups C and D as compared to group B. Conclusion: Injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma effectively improved the Bonar's modified score for appearance of tenocytes at injured entheses, 12 weeks after injury.