Combination of the stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma accelerates the wound healing process: pre-clinical study in a Sprague-Dawley rat model.

Background Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve wound healing owing to their angiogenic potency. However, the production of large quantities of ADSCs for clinical applications is laborious. In this study, the efficacy of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF; non-expanded ADSCs) combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) which contains abundant growth factors, for wound healing was evaluated using an animal model. Methods PRP from venous blood and SVF from lipoaspirates were harvested from six donors. PRP, SVF, SVF + PRP, and saline solution as a negative control were injected to second degree burn wounds in the backs of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats. On the seventh day after injection, rats were euthanized and wounds were analyzed microscopically and macroscopically. Results Wounds closed faster in the SVF + PRP group than in the control group or PRP or SVF alone groups, with less inflammation, prominent signs of re-epithelization, more skin appendages and blood vessels, and a higher rate of hair growth. No infection or rat death occurred during the trial. Conclusions The combination of SVF and PRP may provide an additive stimulatory effect to support angiogenesis and accelerate the wound healing process; accordingly, this combination is a potential alternative to ADSC treatment.