Is the combination of fat grafts and platelet rich plasma effective in rats?¹

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

To investigate if the association of fat grafts and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves graft viability in female rats.

METHODS:

This is an experimental, randomized and blinded study, which involved 47 rats. Fat was harvested from the inguinal region and grafted to the cranial region. The experimental group consisted of PRP-enriched fat grafts (n=22) whilst the control group consisted of fat graft only (n=25). After a 100-day period, the animals were euthanised and the fat grafts were analyzed using scores from 0 (absent) to 4 (abundant), in optical microscopy by two independent and blinded pathologists.

RESULTS:

Regarding fat graft cell viability, the PRP group scored moderate/abundant in 63% of cases and the fat graft only group scored absent/slight in 72% of cases (p=0.03). The PRP group also presented lower fat necrosis scores when compared to the fat graft only group (p=0.03). Tumors (dermoid cysts) within the fat grafts were observed in three animals in which the grafts were mixed with PRP.

CONCLUSION:

Platelet-rich plasma improves the viability and integration of fat grafts in rats, but more studies are needed to fully understand the exact mechanisms that lead to this improvement and assess the safety of the method for use in humans.

Key words:
Adipose Tissue; Graft Survival; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Rats

Introduction

Fat is an ideal, easily available filler because of it's autologous character and low surgical-related morbidity^1,2. However, the resorption rate is unpredictable and this biological phenomenon often results in the formation of scar tissue or oil cysts³. This led surgeons to seek techniques that improve the viability and quality of fat grafts⁴.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) consists of a blood plasma fraction with elevated levels of platelets, obtained by centrifugation and separation of the different cellular fractions⁵. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate neoangiogenesis and cell differentiation^5-7. Platelets in PRP are obtained in anticoagulated state, therefore inert and require activation (usually accomplished by the addition of calcium chloride and / or thrombin) to release their growth factors^8,9.

Activated platelets secrete growth factors and cytokines, which make them applicable to repair tissues and induce blood vessel formation^6,10. Therefore, PRP has been studied associated to fat grafts, dental implants, orthopedic surgery, repair of tendons and muscles, recovery of skin lesions, ophthalmologic surgery, plastic surgery and other situations that require a stimulus to tissue repair^11-13.

The association of fat grafts and PRP began to be studied in recent years^7,14. This association is justifiable due to the pursuit of PRP as a mechanism to improve the viability and quality of fat grafts, mainly by stimulating neovascularization of the grafts. Further studies showed variable results and without any standardization of the methodology.

In this animal study, we evaluated the combination of PRP with fat grafts to develop surgical approaches with better graft viability and long-lasting clinical outcomes.

Methods

This blind and randomized in vivo research protocol was conducted in the Mastology Program of the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Goiás (HC-UFG). The research was approved by the hospital´s Ethics Research Committee (protocol 070/2011) and supervised by a veterinarian, so as not to violate any ethical concept of research in animals and to avoid any injury or suffering to them.

Few experimental studies with rats comparing fat grafting techniques are reported in the literature, making it difficult to estimate the likely difference between methods and stipulate the power of the test to be used. The sample size was chosen taking into account the availability of animals in the vivarium of HC-UFG, cost-effective increase in the number of cases and the ethical concern to minimize the use of animal experimentation. Fifty rats were considered a satisfactory number after the analysis of the before mentioned factors.

We used fifty adult female rats of the species Rattus norvegicus Wistar lineage, of similar size (average weight of 400g) and older than 60 days following the recommendations of the Brazilian College of Animal Experimentation (COBEA). The sample was divided into two groups (group with no PRP and group with PRP), and each animal received an autologous fat graft in the subcutaneous portion of the cranial area.

Surgical procedure

The animals were anesthetized with a solution of saline, ketamine (80mg/kg) and xylazine (10mg/kg) for veterinary use via the peritoneal route. Fat grafts (measuring 0,5 by 1.5 cm) were harvested from the inguinal region. This region was chosen because of its abundant deposit of fat in these animals (Figure 1). The graft was prepared with 0.1 ml of saline solution at 0.9% (control group) or 0.1 ml of platelet-rich plasma, activated with calcium chloride at 10% (case group), according to the randomization table previously established. The prepared graft was inserted subcutaneously in the cranial region (Figure 2).

FIGURE 1
Dissection of fat graft from right inguinal region of the experimental animal.

FIGURE 2
Area in the cranial region of the animal prepared to receive the fat graft.

The platelet-rich plasma was obtained by cardiac puncture and collection of 10 ml blood of rats. The syringe with collected blood was placed in a centrifuge and first spun at a speed of 1500 rpm for ten minutes, obtaining three fractions of blood (Figure 3). With a pipette, the middle fraction was collected (PRP mixed with white blood cells and plasma) and placed in another sterile syringe. This syringe was then centrifuged at a speed of 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, obtaining two fractions (Figure 4). In this step the top fraction consisted of cell-poor plasma and the lower composed of PRP (plasma with high concentration of platelets).

FIGURE 3
Aspect of blood after first centrifugation process used to obtain platelet rich plasma.

FIGURE 4
Aspect of blood after second centrifugation process used to obtain platelet rich plasma. PRP observed at the bottom of syringe.

At 100 days of the first surgery, the rats were anesthetized as described earlier and a block of the cranial skin, the fat graft and underlying muscle tissue was obtained. These blocks were fixed with formaldehyde and submitted to five micron cross-sections and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for analysis by optical microscope by the researchers responsible for the histological analysis of the material.

Histological evaluation

Histological analysis of the material was done by two medical pathologists (MARM, MAPCC), who made independent and blind analysis of each blade, assigning scores to each variable analyzed. The slides were evaluated according to the following variables: graft viability (percentage of the intact fat cells), necrotic area (percentage of area with necrotic / dead cell tissue), inflammation area (percentage of area with infiltration of inflammatory cells) and fibrosis area (area percentage with fibrous material / collagen fibers). The values obtained were classified with the aid of a histological score of the graft, scored 0 (absent) to 4 (heavy). For statistical analysis, the scores were grouped in Sparse (scores 0, 1 and 2) or Abundant (scores 3 and 4) (Table 1). The kappa statistic was used to calculate the concordance coefficient.

TABLE 1
Scores attributed by evaluators of the variables analyzed.

	Evaluator 1			p	RR (95% CI)		Evaluator 2				p	RR (95% CI)
	Fat + PRP			Fat						Fat + PRP		Fat
	n=22	%	n=25	%			n=22	%	n=25	%
Fat cells
Sparse	9	40.9	18	72.0	0.03	0.26 (0.08 - 0.91)	8	36.4	18	72.0	0.010	0.22 (0.06 - 0.76)
Abundant	13	59.1	7	28.0			14	63.6	7	28.0
Area of necrosis
Sparse	13	59.1	7	28.0	0.03	3.71 (1.09 - 12.56)	14	63.6	7	28.0	0.014	4.50 (1.31 - 15.42)
Abundant	9	40.9	18	72.0			8	36.4	18	72.0
Local inflammation
Sparse	19	86.4	16	64.0	0.07	3.56 (0.82 - 15.43)	20	90.9	16	64.0	0.03	5.62 (1.06 - 29.79)
Abundant	3	13.6	9	36.0			2	9.1	9	36.0

• PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma. RR: Relative Risk. CI: Confidence Interval.

Statistical analysis

The sample was characterized by calculating the absolute and relative frequencies for the variables under study. Subsequently, we performed the analysis of central tendencies and dispersion measures as means and standard deviation for the age variable. Analyses to determine the association or independence between the variables were performed by Fisher test with the calculation of the relative risks using contingency tables to verify the average risk between the variables with a 95% confidence interval and level of significance level of 0.05.

Results

From the sample of fifty animals, two were used as PRP donors and a third died and was not included in the analysis. Thus, we studied 47 animals of the same breed, sex, weight and age. After randomization 22 rats were placed in the group with PRP and the other 25 in the control group without PRP. One animal died postoperatively, with no apparent cause after necropsy. Postoperative wound dehiscence of the donor area occurred in five animals. These wounds were left to heal by secondary intention being cleaned daily. There was total closure of dehiscence in all cases after seven days.

The score values assigned by both pathologists with almost perfect concordance (κ = 94%). The percentual distribution of these scores can be seen in Figures 5 to 8. It was observed that the viability of the graft, assessed by the presence of intact fat cells, with scores 3 and 4, was significantly higher in fat grafting group associated with PRP, compared to the control group who didn't receive PRP (p=0.03) (Table 1, Figure 9).

FIGURE 5
Percentages of scores regarding intact fat cells in fat only and fat + PRP groups.

FIGURE 6
Percentages of scores regarding area of fat necrosis in fat only and fat + PRP groups.

FIGURE 7
Percentages of scores regarding presence of inflammatory cells in fat only and fat + PRP groups.

FIGURE 8
Percentages of scores regarding histological signs of fibrosis in fat only and fat + PRP groups.

FIGURE 9
Photomicrograph (HE x100). Intact fat cells and blood vessels in fat graft that received platelet rich plasma.

As for the variable area of necrosis, which supports the analysis of the viability of the grafts, we observed in the group with PRP (n = 22), that fourteen grafts (63.6%) had a score 0,1 or 2 and eight grafts (36.4%) with score 3 or 4. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.03), showing a lower percentage of necrosis of fat cells in the group with PRP and consequently higher percentage rate of the intact fat cells (Table 1, Figure 9).

In the analysis of local inflammation we observed in the group receiving PRP that up to 85% of the grafts had low scores (0.1 or 2), compared to 64% in the group without PRP, showing that the grafts mixed with PRP had better preservation of adipose cells, fewer dead cells and consequently a smaller amount of tissue inflammation (Table 1, Figure 10).

FIGURE 10
Photomicrograph (HE x100). Sparse intact fat cells and abundant inflammatory cell infiltrate in fat graft without the addition of platelet rich plasma.

In the analysis of the variable presence of tissue fibrosis, it was observed that both groups had low fibrosis rates (score 4 not given to any graft by either evaluators), with no statistical difference between the two groups (Figure 8). As an incidental finding, we noted the presence of dermoid cysts in the fat grafts of three animals, all allocated in graft group with PRP (Figure 11).

FIGURE 11
Photomicrograph (HE x25). Bulky dermoid cyst in fat graft that received platelet rich plasma.

Discussion

Recently there has been an increase in studies on fat grafts^15,16. Many studies propose new techniques for grafts, to counteract the resorption rate and increase the aiming less resorption and increased viability of the fat. Upon revision of literature it is noted that there is no consensus on PRP preparation. Various methods are described with different protocols and concentrations, but most techniques have some points in common^17-20.

To produce PRP autologous blood is generally obtained by peripheral venipuncture prior to any surgical procedure and added to an anticoagulant. The blood is then centrifuged which yield two phases of blood: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet poor plasma (PPP). In a recent review article Sommeling et al.¹⁰ noted that in forty papers about the use of PRP in plastic surgery, nine used a single centrifugation step, eighteen two centrifugation steps and in thirteen papers the number of centrifugations was not mentioned. In the present series we used two centrifugations in order to obtain PRP, with evidence of platelet concentration observed by light microscopy, although we didn't quantify the increase in this platelet number in absolute terms since our method of centrifugation was not automated but manual.

The combination of fat grafts and PRP was evaluated by few studies, with variable results and without any standardization of the methodology²¹. PRP, after being activated, releases large amounts of growth factors and cytokines, stimulating increased cell replication, increased collagen production, recruitment of other cells to the site of injury, stimulating neoangiogenesis and differentiation induction⁵. In animal studies^22,23 the association of fat with PRP increased graft take, whereas Por et al.²⁴ observed that this association is not beneficial for increasing the viability of the grafts. In the latter work, there is no mention of the PRP activation, a fact that may have contributed to the absence of benefits of PRP on the viability of the grafted fat.

Another criticism made by some authors is that the PRP obtained in small animals studies is not autologous, but from a donor animal that produces sufficient PRP for the remainder of the experiment⁵, since it is impossible for PRP to be obtained in sufficient quantity without having to euthanise the donor animal due to the large volume of blood required. In our work, we show positive results of the PRP and fat graft association, even though the PRP utilized is of homologous origin (donor animal of the same species) and not autologous. Other authors shared the same conclusions in their studies with animals^22,23.

In PRP associated with fat grafts studies in humans there are also conflicting data. While the group led by Cervelli in successive papers^8,25,26 presented results that indicate an improvement of the viability of the grafts with PRP association, the study of Salgarello et al.²⁷ showed no benefits in this association. In the latter article, PRP was obtained using a automated method, which may have resulted in an insufficient concentration of PRP added to the grafts²⁷. Other authors analyzed that differences in concentration of growth factors in the PRP obtained by automated methods are dependent of the device or technique utilized^18,28,29.

In the current study, histological variables were classified in increasing scores and then categorized into two groups, sparse or abundant. This categorization allowed the observation of increased tissue viability and reduced area of necrosis in the animals subjected to grafts with PRP association. Moreover, there was a perfect interobserver agreement. We understand that the best way to analyze the feasibility of the grafts would be through histology, easily performed in animal studies, but of great difficulty in human studies. Thus, the current study provides important information on the histological evaluation of the association between fat grafts and PRP.

Dermoid cysts can be described as cystic tumors covered with epithelium and skin appendages, being found in different species and considered as resulting from the entrapment of the epidermal and dermal anexal structures during embryonic development, with low malignant potential³⁰. In our study we observed the presence of dermoid cysts within the fat graft in three animals of the 47 evaluated, coincidentally all treated with graft associated with PRP. We cannot conclude that fat grafts associated with PRP had causal relationship in the formation of these tumors, but considering the hypothesis that these tumors were previously present in the groin fat used for grafting, the fact that they remained viable within the graft and possibly increased in size after grafting draws our attention, as they were not observed macroscopically during the surgical stage of completion of the grafts.

Conclusions

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) improves the viability and integration of fat grafts in rats. The PRP group also presented lower fat necrosis and local inflammation scores when compared to the fat graft only group.

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• Financial source:

  none
• 1
  Research performed at Goiânia Mastology Research Network and Mastology Program, Teaching Hospital, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiania-GO, Brazil.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Oct 2016

History

• Received
  14 June 2016
• Reviewed
  16 Aug 2016
• Accepted
  15 Sept 2016