Full-thickness burn scar treatment using a combination of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma in animal model

Kamylla Caroline Santos; Benedito Matheus Dos Santos; Maisa Ribeiro; Júlia de Miranda Moraes; Didier Quevedo Cagnini; Richard Eloin Liebano; Gustavo Henrique Marques Araujo

doi:10.1016/j.tice.2024.102610

Full-thickness burn scar treatment using a combination of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma in animal model

Tissue Cell. 2024 Nov 14:91:102610. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102610. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kamylla Caroline Santos¹, Benedito Matheus Dos Santos², Maisa Ribeiro³, Júlia de Miranda Moraes⁴, Didier Quevedo Cagnini⁵, Richard Eloin Liebano⁶, Gustavo Henrique Marques Araujo⁷

Affiliations

¹ Special Academic Unit of Animal Bioscience, Federal University of Jataí - UFJ, Jataí, Go, Brazil; Physiotherapeutic Resources Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, USA.
² Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
³ University Center of Mineiros - UNIFIMES, Mineiros, Go, Brazil.
⁴ Special Academic Unit of Animal Bioscience, Federal University of Jataí - UFJ, Jataí, Go, Brazil.
⁵ School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University - Unesp, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
⁶ Physiotherapeutic Resources Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, SP, Brazil; University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, USA.
⁷ Special Academic Unit of Animal Bioscience, Federal University of Jataí - UFJ, Jataí, Go, Brazil. Electronic address: gustavoaraujovet@gmail.com.

PMID: 39571420
DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102610

Abstract

Microneedling (MA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies have shown potential for enhancing scar repair through collagen production and growth factor release, yet their effects on full-thickness burn scars remain underexplored. This study evaluated the impact of MA, PRP, and combined MA + PRP treatments on scar healing in a rat model of full-thickness burns. Fifty adult rats were divided into four groups: control, MA, PRP, and MA + PRP. Treatments were administered 21 days post-burn, and animals were evaluated at 14- and 21-days post-treatment. Macroscopic, histopathological, and morphometric analyses were performed to assess epithelialization, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and collagen deposition. The combination of MA + PRP demonstrated superior outcomes, showing enhanced ECM organization, significant collagen deposition, increased angiogenesis, and an improved inflammatory profile with mononuclear cell infiltration. Morphometric analysis confirmed a substantial increase in collagen content, particularly in the MA + PRP group, supporting improved tissue remodeling and scar maturation. These findings suggest that combined MA + PRP therapy may be a promising approach for promoting effective and accelerated burn scar healing. Further research is warranted to optimize protocols for clinical application.

Keywords: Burn scar repair; Collagen deposition; Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling; Microneedling (MA); Platelet-rich plasma (PRP).