Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a global burden that implies on quality of life. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous source of growth factors that is recently suggested due to its healing properties. Isoproterenol (ISO) is a β-agonist drug used as experimental model of myocardial injury through cardiac hyperactivity and production of reactive oxygen species.
Aim of Work: To investigate the role of PRP in preservation of cardiac tissue and enhancing healing in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial injury.
Materials and Methods: 48 adult male albino rats were used as follows; Control group (N=18), Myocardial injury group (N=18) and Myocardial injury with PRP group (N=12). ISO was administered as a single subcutaneous dose (67 mg/kg) and PRP was injected intracardiac after 12 h from ISO injection. Hearts were harvested at 7 days and 21 days and left ventricular sections were stained for histological and immunohistochemical study.
Results: Isoproterenol treated sections showed necrosis and apoptosis of myocardial fibers with loss of striations. Interstiuim showed mononuclear cellular infiltration and significant increase in collagen deposition. Moreover, blood vessels showed congestion and hemorrhage. Examination of PRP treated sections showed restoration of normal architecture of myocardial fibers. There was a statistically significant decrease in apoptosis and necrosis of myocardial cells. Also, interstitium showed an apparent decrease in mononuclear cellular infiltration and hemorrhage. These findings were observed after one week of PRP administration and became more evident after three weeks. Meanwhile, collagen deposition showed highly significant decrease in PRP treated group only after three weeks in comparison to ISO only treated group.
Conclusion: PRP was found to decrease myocardial death and accelerate healing. PRP can be considered a simple, economically feasible and favorable strategy in management of myocardial injury.