Platelet-Rich Plasma: Quantitative Assessment of Growth Factor Levels and Comparative Analysis of Activated and Inactivated Groups

• Published in: Archives of plastic surgery 2013, Vol.40 (5), p.530-535
• Main Authors: Lee, Jeong Woo, Kwon, O Hyun, Kim, Taek Kyun, Cho, Young Kyoo, Choi, Kang Young, Chung, Ho Yun, Cho, Byung Chae, Yang, Jung Dug, Shin, Jun Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• ISSN: 2234-6163; 2234-6171

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has more concentrated platelets than normal plasma (approximately 150-400${\times}10^3$ cell/dL). Platelets excrete several growth factors and cytokines that are associated with the healing and regeneration process. However, even though PRP is widely used, the mechanism or actual effect is presently unclear. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the levels of growth factors and platelet concentration rate. Methods Autologous blood for preparing PRP was obtained from healthy subjects aged 25 to 35 years. The samples were divided into 4 experimental groups (inactivated whole blood, inactivated PRP, activated whole blood with thrombin and calcium chloride, and activated PRP). The platelet counts in the blood were analyzed and the growth factors were quantitatively measured. A statistical analysis was performed by using Dunn's multiple comparison test. Results In the blood cell analysis, the platelet count of the PRP group was approximately 4.25 times higher than that of the whole blood group. In the quantitative analysis of growth factors, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, PDGF-BB, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ of the inactivated and activated PRP groups were higher than those of the inactivated and activated whole blood groups (P