Background: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a major chronic diabetes complication characterized by functional and structural alterations in peripheral nerves. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an encouraged biological blood derivative that has gained publicity in diverse applications and proved its efficacy.
Aim of Work: Evaluate the probable ameliorating effect of platelet poor plasma (PPP) versus PRP on induced DN in rats.
Materials and Methods: This study included 48 male adult albino rats, 10 to obtain PRP and PPP. Thirty eight were divided into 4 groups; group I (control). Group II (DN group): received a single intraperitoneal STZ (60 mg/kg) injection and were left till the end of the experiment. Groups III (PRP group) and IV (PPP group) received subcutaneous PRP or PPP 0.5 mL/kg, 2 times a week for 3 weeks after 60 days diabetes. Body weight, blood glucose and miR-146a and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were assessed, as well as tissue MDA, TNFα, NGF, ZO-1 and claudin-1. Right sciatic nerve specimens were taken and processed for HandE, toluidine blue stains, S100, CD34 and caspase-3 immunohistochemical stains and TEM. Number of CD34 immunopositive cells and area percent of S100 and caspase-3 immunoreaction were measured, in addition to G-ratio and capillary luminal area. This was followed by statistical analysis.
Results: DN group showed altered biochemical and histological features; axonopathy, Schwannopathy and angiopathy, with affected NCV and telocyte-like cells (TLCs). PRP and PPP groups showed comparable results to each other and to the control. They revealed almost normal biochemical and histological features and NCV. In addition, they revealed significant increase in S100 and CD34 immunoexpression with significant decrease in area percent of caspase-3 versus DN group.
Conclusion: PPP and PRP proved to exert ameliorative effect on DN through improving the biochemical and histopathological altera‌tions and TLCs preservation.