Effect of platelet dense granule contents upon osteoblast viability

The incorporation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into scaffolds for application in musculoskeletal injuries has been a topic of recent interest in orthopaedic surgery. Platelets have dense granules containing ADP, ATP, serotonin, and calcium; and alpha granules containing PDGF, VEGF, IGF, TGF-ß, and EGF. Particular focus of previous studies has been on mitogenic effects of alpha granules, but the role of dense granules in PRP therapy currently remains undefined. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ATP, ADP, and serotonin upon osteoblast viability in vitro. Human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells) were exposed to phosphate buffered saline (control group), ATP (20µM), ADP (10µM), and serotonin (11.75nM) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Osteoblast viability was evaluated at each timepoint using biochemical assays. When compared to controls, osteoblasts treated with ATP and ADP resulted in a significant reduction in cell number, while serotonin caused an increase at 24 hours. Similar trends were noted at later timepoints. At 48 hours, a trend towards increase in glutathione was observed with ADP and ATP, but was not sustained at 72 hours. No significant differences in membrane damage were detected between groups. At 24 and 48 hours, ADP significantly increased nitric oxide production. Results of this study demonstrate that ATP, ADP, and serotonin induced significant structural adaptive responses to osteoblastic activities. The data revealed minimal functional alteration as evident by biomarker measurements. Overall conclusion: the results provided further insight regarding PRP therapy for traumatized bone.