Platelets: Emerging as a Cutting-Edge Source for Mitochondrial Transplantation in Rodent Models of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant clinical challenge due to the absence of effective therapies for mitigating oxidative damage and neuronal dysfunction. Given the brain’s high metabolic demand, mitochondrial transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, identifying an optimal, functional source of mitochondria remains a major obstacle. In this study, we explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria isolated from senescent platelets as a readily available, GMP-compliant source for promoting recovery in TBI models. TBI was induced in rats using a weight-drop model, with confirmation through histopathological analysis. The animals were then divided into four experimental groups: healthy control, TBI, TBI + RB (receiving respiration buffer), and TBI + Mito (receiving mitochondrial transplantation). Neurobehavioural recovery was assessed using a series of sensorimotor tests, including the beam walk test, horizontal bars test, grid-walking test, and cylinder test. Our results show that mitochondrial transplantation significantly improved neurobehavioural function in TBI animals, with performance in the TBI + Mito group comparable to that of the healthy control group. Histological examination further revealed that brain tissue morphology in the TBI + Mito group closely resembled that of the control group. These findings provide compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of platelet-derived mitochondrial transplantation as an accessible and effective treatment for TBI. However, further investigation is needed to determine the long-term efficacy and underlying mechanisms of this novel approach.