Effects of autologous platelet concentrate and serum on retinal wound healing in an animal model

Background: The beneficial effects of adjuvant treatment with agents such as autologous platelet concentrate (APC) or autologous serum (AS) in the surgical management of macular holes remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine the histological changes induced by these agents compared with control on retinal wound healing in an animal model. Methods: The right eyes of 51 pigmented rabbits were used. Under anaesthesia, full-thickness sensory retinal incisions 2 mm in length were made into avascular retina down to the level of the retinal pigment epithelium using a 23-gauge needle via a superotemporal sclerotomy. APC, AS or sterilised balanced salt solution was placed directly over the wound site. Animals were killed at 3, 7 or 14 days and the wounds examined immunohistologically. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used to detect proliferating cells. Results: No difference was observed between serum-treated eyes and control eyes. A greater displacement or migration of cells toward the retinal surface was consistently found in the APC-treated wounds than in control wounds. These cells were of mixed origin but appeared to arise predominantly from the outer nuclear layer. A significantly greater number of PCNA-staining cells was found in the platelet-treated group than in controls at 3 days (P=0.038), 7 days (P=0.039) and 14 days (P=0.038). Conclusion: We have demonstrated a significantly greater proliferative cellular response in the healing of retinal wounds with the use of platelet concentrate than in control wounds. We consider that this model may be used in further studies on the effects of other agents on retinal wound healing.