Bacterial exclusion and wound healing potential of horizontal platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) membranes when compared to 2 commercially available collagen membranes.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the barrier function during bacterial invasion and wound healing properties of 3 commonly used membranes including horizontal platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) against two commercially available resorbable collagen membranes. H-PRF membranes were prepared by collecting venous blood from 3 healthy volunteers using a 700g for 8-min centrifugation protocol followed by compression into membranes. To evaluate their barrier function, 3 groups (H-PRF membrane, collagen membrane A (Bio-Gide, Geistlich), collagen membrane B (Megreen, Shanxi Ruisheng Biotechnology Co) were placed between an inner chamber and outer chamber and inoculated with S. aureus. At 2h, 24h, and 48h post-inoculation, cultures from the inner and outer chambers were assessed for bacterial CFUs. Then, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was utilized to visualized the morphological destruction by bacteria of the inner and outer surfaces of the membranes. To assess the wound healing properties of each membrane, leachates from each group were applied to human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and a scratch assay was performed at 24h and 48h. S. aureus showed a minimal bacterial attachment or invasion rate through either collagen membranes at 2h post-inoculation, yet over time demonstrated rapid degradation, especially on the rougher surface. While PRF demonstrated higher number of CFUs after 2h, no significant penetration/degradation of the H-PRF membranes was observed at 24h and 48h in the H-PRF group. Both collagen membranes demonstrated significant morphological changes 48h post-bacterial innoculation, while minimal obvious morphological changes were observed in the H-PRF group. The wound healing assay also demonstrated significantly better wound closure rates in the H-PRF group. H-PRF membranes exhibited better barrier function towards S. aureus over 2days of innoculation and better wound healing ability when compared to two commercially available collagen membranes. This study provides further evidence for the application of H-PRF membranes during guided bone regeneration by minimizing bacterial invasion. Furthermore, H-PRF membranes have significantly better ability to promote wound healing.