Sustainability and Release Pattern of Growth Factors from Bone Grafts Prepared with Platelet-Rich Fibrin.

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is used to prepare "sticky bone" by combining it with bone-graft material. The present study investigated the ability of different bone grafts to absorb growth factors from the PRF and release them over time. Human blood was collected from 10 healthy volunteers for liquid PRF preparation. Bovine bone, allograft (mineralized and demineralized), and synthetic bone were each mixed with the PRF to prepare a sticky bone. All sticky bone samples were incubated for up to 4 days and the absorption and release pattern kinetics of two selective growth factors within the PRF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and bone morphogenetic protein 2) were quantified with immunofluorescence staining and ELISA. All the tested bone graft materials adsorbed the examined growth factors from the PRF. β-TCP showed the highest adsorption levels, followed by the xenograft, and the allografts showed the lowest adsorption levels. Furthermore, PDGF showed a fast release pattern from the grafts, whereas BMP2 was released at a later stage. Similar to the adsorption pattern, the β-TCP and xenograft were better able to sustain the release of the PRF growth factors from the graft than the allografts. The adsorption of PDGF and BMP2 differ between graft materials, with superior results for βTCP, followed by xenograft and lastly the allograft materials.