Different preparation methods to obtain platelet components as a source of growth factors for local application

Abstract

Various methods enable the preparation of platelet components and of highly concentrated components for local use according to standard blood banking criteria. The obtained components differ, particularly in their WBC content and in vitro platelet activation. These findings are relevant for planning and evaluating further studies of locally usable autologous platelet components.

Platelet-rich plasma preparation using three devices: Implications for platelet activation and platelet growth factor release

“…Zimmerman and coworkers discussed this lack of standardized protocols. They applied standard blood bank criteria to investigate different methods for the preparation of platelets and identified factors that influence the production of platelet gel (Zimmerman et al 2001). It was our objective to compare platelet collection efficiency, monitor platelet activation during PRP preparation, and observe platelet growth factor release after PRP activation using three different commercial point-of-care devices.…”

The use of platelet gel in postero-lateral fusion: preliminary results in a series of 14 cases

“…In the literature, the majority of clinical studies have focused on platelet gel and important results have already been obtained in terms of osteo-induction [8,9,11,16,27]. The efficacy of platelet concentrate for stimulating bone growth has also been demonstrated by many maxillo-facial studies [18,19,21,25] as well as in vitro studies [3,4,6,7,15,22,23], and in vivo in animals [13,20].…”

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapies in Lateral Epicondylitis: Are we Asking the Right Questions?

“…At present, PRP preparations differ on the basis of their platelet concentration [20][21][22][23]. Further, the relative concentrations of different growth factors, the method of platelet activation (exogenous vs. endogenous), the degree of WBC contamination and PRP storage conditions are all implicated to affect the healing potential of PRP injection, and none are standardised across studies [20,21,23].…”

“…Further, the relative concentrations of different growth factors, the method of platelet activation (exogenous vs. endogenous), the degree of WBC contamination and PRP storage conditions are all implicated to affect the healing potential of PRP injection, and none are standardised across studies [20,21,23]. Additionally, the inter-person variability in growth factor concentration has been demonstrated to be as high as 50% between samples obtained from individuals in the same study [21].…”

“…Controversy also exists over the potential benefit or harm of WBC contamination of PRP preparations. Some authors argue that higher WBC concentrations may provide antimicrobial action and increase the concentrations of growth factors present [21]. Others have argued that WBC contamination will augment inflammation and pain and further impede tissue healing [19].…”