Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) on a collagen matrix improve the tensile strength of a repaired incision in a rat model

Abstract

The goal of this project is to prevent hernia formation by improving wound healing in surgically repaired tissue. Midline abdominal incisions were performed on Lewis rats. In Group 1 (n=14) the incision was repaired with no further additions. Group 2 had PRP on a collagen matrix (CollaTape™, Zimmer Dental) applied to the repaired incision. Group 3 received the same treatment as Group 2 with the addition of 106 MSC. The biomechanical properties of the facial defects, including the control samples, were determined using a standard force‐extension tensiometric analysis after 4 weeks (n=7) or 8 weeks (n=7). Tissues from Group 1 had an average tensile strength of 204 kPa at four weeks and 421.83 kPa at eight weeks; Group 2 at four weeks was 409.58 kPa and 582.18 kPa at eight weeks; Group 3 at four weeks was 817.15 kPa and at eight weeks was 917.17 kPa. Marked improvement in healing was seen with PRP, which was further improved by the addition of MSC. Supported by St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown State University and LifeCell Hernia Resident/Fellow Research Grant.