Liquid platelet concentrate formulation for regenerative dentistry can be obtained without anticoagulants

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been utilized in regenerative dentistry as a supra-physiological concentrate of autologous growth factors capable of stimulating tissue regeneration. Despite this, concerns have been expressed regarding the use of anticoagulants, agents known to inhibit wound healing. In this study, a liquid formulation of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) termed injectable-PRF (i-PRF) without the use of anti-coagulants was investigated.

Standard PRP and i-PRF (centrifuged at 700 rpm (60G) for 3 min) were compared for growth factor release for up to 10 days (8 donor samples). Furthermore, fibroblast biocompatibility at 24 h (live/dead assay); migration at 24 h; proliferation at 1, 3, and 5 days, and expression of PDGF, TGF-β, and collagen1 at 3 and 7 days were investigated.

Results:

Growth factor release demonstrated that in general PRP had a higher early release of growth factors whereas i-PRF showed significantly higher levels of total long-term release of PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB, EGF, and IGF-1 after 10 days. PRP showed higher levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF at 10 days. While both formulations exhibited high biocompatibility and higher fibroblast migration and proliferation when compared to control tissue-culture plastic, i-PRF induced significantly highest migration whereas PRP demonstrated significantly highest cellular proliferation. Furthermore, i-PRF showed significantly highest mRNA levels of TGF-β at 7 days, PDGF at 3 days, and collagen1 expression at both 3 and 7 days when compared to PRP.

Thus, i-PRF demonstrated the ability to release higher concentrations of various growth factors and induced higher fibroblast migration and expression of PDGF, TGF-β, and collagen1. Future animal research is now necessary to further validate the use of i-PRF as a bioactive agent capable of stimulating tissue regeneration.

Reference:

Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF): opportunities in regenerative dentistry? By Richard J. Miron et al. published in the Clinical Oral Investigations.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2063-9