Evaluation of the Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Long Bone Healing: An Experimental Rat Model

Abstract

Pseudoarthrosis, or nonunion, of the long bones is a challenging medical condition for orthopedic surgeons to treat. Therefore, healing enhancer materials are commonly used. The authors investigated whether platelet-rich fibrin accelerates long bone healing by comparing radiological and histological findings in a rat model of open femoral fracture. Platelet-rich fibrin is a current biomaterial that contains many growth factors and platelets. There are no studies in the literature investigating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin on fracture healing. Sixteen mature male rats were divided into 2 groups. In both groups, an open femoral fracture was created. The platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging blood collected from the rats. Rats in the study group were treated with sterile platelet-rich fibrin, and those in the control group were administered saline. The rats were killed at the end of 4 weeks and examined histologically and radiologically. The radiographic and histological scores of the 2 groups differed significantly (P<.05). These results indicate that platelet-rich fibrin is an efficient biomaterial in fracture healing and that it increases the amount of osseous tissue formation. Platelet-rich fibrin does not cause an allergic reaction, is cost-effective, and is easy to obtain. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether platelet-rich fibrin accelerates the fracture healing process or induces a better quality of fracture healing. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(3):e479-e484.].

Effects of platelets rich fibrin and bone marrow on the healing of distal radial fracture in local dogs: Comparative study

“…This is due to the presence of PRF, and when activation of these platelets will secrete more than 300 bioactive substances from its granules, these growth factors and cytokines responsible for attracting the phagocytes, stem cells and osteoblast. Therefore its responsible for removing of damage and necrotic tissue rather than stimulates and contributes regeneration of tissues and accelerate healing of damaged tissues, and this is agree with Davis et al, Everts et al, Dülgeroglu & Metineren (18,22,26), whom confirmed that, the platelets its an active biomaterial in the healing of fractures and it increases the amount of formation of bone tissue by reducing the inflammatory period to promote and compensation of fracture healing stage.…”

Biomimetic Implant Surface Functionalization with Liquid L-PRF Products: In Vitro Study

“…In recent years, particular attention has been given to the potential for interaction between platelet concentrates and bone healing. In an experimental rat model of femoral fracture, Dülgeroglu and Metineren [ 12 ] observed increased bone formation after 28 days of healing when PRF clots were applied to bone. Similarly, Nagata et al [ 13 ] observed significantly increased bone formation in surgically created bone defects in rat calvaria treated with a combination of autogenous bone graft and platelet-rich plasma.…”

The Role of the Immune Cells in Fracture Healing

“…Activated platelets take part in creating the fibrin thrombus. This acts as a scaffold for cellular engraftment as platelets secrete inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and growth factors (PDGF, TGF-beta) to recruit other immune cells (neutrophils and monocytes) and mesenchymal progenitor cells respectively [ 27 – 29 ].…”