In vivo ossification of a scaffold combining β-tricalcium phosphate and platelet-rich plasma

Abstract

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are commonly used in bone tissue engineering. The aim of the present study was to investigate a composite that combined TCP with PRP and assess its effectiveness in the treatment of bone defects. Cavity-shaped bone defects were established on the tibiae of 27 beagle dogs, and were repaired by pure β-TCP with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), β-TCP/PRP with BMSCs and autogenic ilium. The samples were harvested at 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and bone regeneration was evaluated using X-ray radiography, immunocytochemical staining of osteocalcin (OCN), hematoxylin and eosin staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Biomechanical tests of the scaffolds were performed at the 12th week after scaffold implantation. When using pure β-TCP as a scaffold, the scaffold-bone interface was clear and no material adsorption and bone healing was observed. Substantial bone regeneration was observed when the tibial defects were restored using β-TCP/PRP and autogenic ilium. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of OCN, alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I α1 were significantly higher in the animals with β-TCP/PRP scaffolds at 8 and 12 weeks following implantation compared with those in the animals with the pure β-TCP scaffolds. The maximum load and compressive strength of the β-TCP/PRP scaffolds were similar to those of the autogenic ilium; however, they were significantly higher than those of the pure β-TCP scaffold. Thus, the β-TCP/PRP composite may be used as a potential scaffold to carry in vitro cultured BMSCs to treat bone defects.

Evaluation of 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffolds Coated with Freeze-Dried Platelet-Rich Plasma for Bone Regeneration

“…However, PRP is difficult to store due to its liquid form. To address this difficulty, some studies have used bovine thrombin and calcium chloride to turn liquid PRP into a solid form [ 29 ]. Recently, PRP was developed into a gel form that was termed platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).…”

Advantages of pure platelet-rich plasma compared with leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma in promoting repair of bone defects

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that the use of autologous PRP in bone regeneration represents a safe, simple, and cost-efficient approach that has positive effects on cell proliferation and migration [ 14 – 16 ], osteogenesis [ 17 – 19 ], and angiogenesis [ 20 , 21 ]. Consequently, the combined use of PRP and β-TCP has gained popularity in the field of bone tissue engineering for the combination of all properties required in an ideal bone graft material, including osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, osteogenesis, and angiogenesis [ 22 – 24 ].…”

Multiple ways for the same destination: bone regeneration

“…Therefore, it can be used for small-sized defects without additional graft [ 53 ]. For the repair of large-sized defects, combination with calcium-based materials [ 54 ] or matrix protein [ 51 , 53 ] has been tested and used.…”