Effect of beta-tricalcium phosphate graft using injectable and advanced platelet-rich fibrin on three-dimensional...

Bone regeneration remains a major challenge in oral and maxillofacial surgery, particularly due to the limited osteoinductive capacity of synthetic grafts such as β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) derivatives have been proposed to enhance bone healing.

Bilateral femoral defects were created in fourteen New Zealand White rabbits using a randomized within-animal design. Four groups were evaluated: control, β-TCP alone, β-TCP + advanced PRF (A-PRF), and β-TCP + injectable PRF (i-PRF). Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks. Bone regeneration was assessed using histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and micro-computed tomography. Bone sialoprotein and fibronectin expression were analyzed, and bone volume fraction and bone mineral density were measured. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

The i-PRF + β-TCP group showed significantly higher new bone formation, bone volume fraction, and bone mineral density compared with all other groups at both time points (p < 0.05). The A-PRF + β-TCP group showed moderate but non-significant improvement over β-TCP alone. Bone sialoprotein expression was significantly increased in PRF-treated groups, particularly i-PRF, whereas fibronectin expression was significantly reduced (p < 0.05).

The findings indicate that i-PRF improved bone regeneration parameters in this experimental model, suggesting enhanced osteogenic potential when combined with β-TCP. Compared with A-PRF, i-PRF exhibited superior biological activity, resulting in improved bone formation and quality. These results support the use of i-PRF as an effective adjunct in bone regeneration.