Platelet-Rich Fibrin Low-Speed Centrifugation Protocols and Particulate Bovine Bone on Bone Defects Repair

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and injectable PRF (i-PRF) are autologous blood concentrates used to accelerate healing.
• Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) is a common bone graft material.
• Combining PRF/i-PRF with DBBM aims to enhance bone regeneration, creating 'sticky bone' (SB).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate low-speed centrifugation protocols for PRF and i-PRF preparation.
• To assess the efficacy of PRF membranes and i-PRF/DBBM (SB) in repairing rat tibial bone defects.
• To compare regenerative outcomes with blood clot, PRF alone, DBBM alone, and SB.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-four rats with tibial defects were divided into four groups: control (blood clot), PRF membrane, DBBM alone (BO), and i-PRF/DBBM (SB).
• Assessments included micro-computed tomography (μCT), histological analysis, and gene expression (Alpl, Bglap, Runx2) at 15 and 45 days.
• Low-speed centrifugation was used for PRF and i-PRF preparation.

Main Results:

• PRF membranes showed greater early bone formation and Bglap expression than controls.
• DBBM alone (BO) and SB groups significantly increased cortical bone formation and thickness at defect margins by 45 days.
• While BO and SB enhanced medullary bone formation and trabecular number, i-PRF did not further improve DBBM's regenerative potential.

Conclusions:

• PRF membranes enhance early bone regeneration compared to a simple blood clot.
• DBBM, used alone or with i-PRF, effectively promotes bone regeneration in rat tibial defects.
• The addition of i-PRF to DBBM did not yield superior bone regenerative outcomes compared to DBBM alone.