Antibacterial effects of platelet-rich fibrin produced by horizontal centrifugation

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been widely used owing to its ability to stimulate tissue regeneration. To date, few studies have described the antibacterial properties of PRF. Previously, PRF prepared by horizontal centrifugation (H-PRF) was shown to contain more immune cells than leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF). This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effects of PRFs against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro and to determine whether the antibacterial effects correlated with the number of immune cells. Blood samples were obtained from eight healthy donors to prepare L-PRF and H-PRF. The sizes and weights of L-PRF and H-PRF were first evaluated, and their antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. coli were then tested in vitro using the inhibition ring and plate-counting test methods. Flow-cytometric analysis of the cell components of L-PRF and H-PRF was also performed. No significant differences in size or weight were observed between the L-PRF and H-PRF groups. The H-PRF group contained more leukocytes than the L-PRF group. While both PRFs had notable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, H-PRF demonstrated a significantly better antibacterial effect than L-PRF. Furthermore, the antimicrobial ability of the PRF solid was less efficient than that of wet PRF. In conclusion, H-PRF exhibited better antibacterial activity than L-PRF, which might have been attributed to having more immune cells.