Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Polyvinyl Alcohol Wound Dressing in Open Wound Healing: First Results from an Experimental Rat Model

Abstract

Introduction: Wound healing is a complex biological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Despite promising results with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and synthetic scaffolds used separately, their combined in vivo effects remain insufficiently investigated. This experimental study presents the first results on a composite wound dressing integrating PRP, rich in growth factors, with electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, a biocompatible and stable polymer. Methods: Full-thickness skin defects (1 × 1 cm2) were created in 21 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats and divided into three groups: control, PVA, and PRP/PVA. Wound healing was assessed histologically and biochemically on days 7 and 14, including fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) measurement. Results: The PRP/PVA group showed enhanced epithelialization and angiogenesis compared to other groups (p < 0.05), along with higher FGF-2 levels. Conclusion: The relatively small sample size, absence of a PRP-only group, and short observation period limit the generalizability of these findings. Within these constraints, the results indicate a potential synergistic role of PRP and PVA scaffolds in promoting wound repair, supporting further studies with larger cohorts and standardized PRP preparation before clinical translation.