Long-term stability of frozen platelet-rich plasma under −80 °C storage condition

Abstract

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly used in various fields of medicine, aiming to regeneration and repair damaged tissues, cells and organs. High concentration of bioactive molecules including growth factors, cytokines and chemokines are the rationale of using PRP. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of frozen on the levels of growth factors. In our study, PRP samples were isolated from 50 healthy volunteers using the Trima Accel blood cell separator. The concentration of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and platelet factor 4 (PF-4) were assessed in fresh PRP and frozen PRP stored at −80 °C for one to twelve months. The study found that count of platelet in all fresh and frozen PRP samples was significantly increased compared to whole blood baseline. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of PDGF-BB, bFGF, VEGF, and PF-4 between fresh and frozen samples. The concentrations of EGF and IGF in Frozen-PRP group were significantly higher than those in Fresh-PRP group. And the storage condition of −80 °C is suitable for PRP, which will not lead to a decrease in growth factors concentration for at least 6 months.