Variability in Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparations Used in Regenerative Medicine: A Comparative Analysis

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biotechnology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its derivatives are utilized in aesthetic, dental, and musculoskeletal applications.
• Their therapeutic effects stem from growth factors, cytokines, and white blood cells.
• Current PRP preparation methods exhibit significant variability, hindering consistent outcomes and characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the variability in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation techniques.
• To analyze the efficacy and reliability of different PRP preparation methods.
• To identify potential areas for standardization and customization of PRP for tissue-specific applications.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of articles published within the last five years was conducted.
• The PRISMA protocol guided the selection of 13 relevant studies.
• The NHLBI quality assessment tool was employed to evaluate the selected studies.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in PRP production approaches, characterization extent, and scale of preparation (small vs. large).
• Variability was also noted in the reporting of in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Two studies identified presented simple, reproducible, and economical PRP preparation procedures with good platelet yield.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of PRP preparation methods is crucial for enhancing its therapeutic efficacy and reliability.
• The identified simple and reproducible methods offer a basis for future tissue-specific and pathology-specific standardization.
• Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of PRP constituents and derivatives.