Ultrastructure and growth factor content of equine platelet-rich fibrin gels.
Abstract: To compare fiber diameter, pore area, compressive stiffness, gelation properties, and selected growth factor content of platelet-rich fibrin gels (PRFGs) and conventional fibrin gels (FGs). Methods: PRFGs and conventional FGs prepared from the blood of 10 healthy horses. Methods: Autologous fibrinogen was used to form conventional FGs. The PRFGs were formed from autologous platelet-rich plasma of various platelet concentrations (100 × 10³ platelets/μL, 250 × 10³ platelets/μL, 500 × 10³ platelets/μL, and 1,000 × 10³ platelets/μL). All gels contained an identical fibrinogen concentration (20 mg/mL). Fiber diameter and pore area were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Maximum gelation rate was assessed with spectrophotometry, and gel stiffness was determined by measuring the compressive modulus. Gel weights were measured serially over 14 days as an index of contraction (volume loss). Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-β1 concentrations were quantified with ELISAs. Results: Fiber diameters were significantly larger and mean pore areas were significantly smaller in PRFGs than in conventional FGs. Gel weight decreased significantly over time, differed significantly between PRFGs and conventional FGs, and was significantly correlated with platelet concentration. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-β1 concentrations were highest in gels and releasates derived from 1,000 × 10³ platelets/μL. Conclusions: The inclusion of platelets in FGs altered the architecture and increased the growth factor content of the resulting scaffold. Platelets may represent a useful means of modifying these gels for applications in veterinary and human regenerative medicine.
Publication Date: 2014-03-29 PubMed ID: 24669926DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.75.4.392Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Autologous Serum
- Biotechnology
- Cells
- Clinical Study
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Fibrin
- Growth Factors
- In Vitro Research
- Laboratory Methods
- Microscopy
- Physiology
- Platelets
- Regenerative Medicine
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Ultrastructure
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The study compares the structural and growth factor content differences between platelet-rich fibrin gels (PRFGs) and basic fibrin gels, demonstrating that PRFGs possess distinct features and enhanced growth factor content, potentially offering beneficial applications in human and veterinary regenerative medicine.
Research Methodology
- This research was conducted using blood samples obtained from 10 healthy horses.
- The blood samples were used to produce two types of gels – Platelet-Rich Fibrin Gels (PRFGs) and Conventional Fibrin Gels (FGs) for comparison. PRFGs were created using autologous platelet-rich plasma with diverse platelet concentrations, while FGs were fashioned using autologous fibrinogen.
- All the gels used had the same fibrinogen concentration, and differences in the growth factor content, structural properties, compressive stiffness, and gelation rate were evaluated using various scientific techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy and spectrophotometry.
Findings
- PRFGs, compared to conventional FGs, were found to have significantly larger fiber diameters and considerably smaller mean pore areas, indicating that the inclusion of platelets causes a significant change in the ultrastructure of the gels.
- The study also revealed that the weights of these gels declined considerably over time, this was found to differ significantly between PRFGs and FGs, showing a direct correlation with the platelet concentration.
- The concentration of certain growth factors – Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1)- were also investigated: these were significantly elevated in gels and releasates derived from the highest concentration of platelets (1,000 × 10³ platelets/μL).
Conclusion
- Study results revealed that the inclusion of platelets in FGs substantially impacts the ultrastructure and enriches the content of growth factors in the resulting gels. This indicates that platelets could be a valuable tool in modifying these gels to boost their efficacy in regenerative medicine applications, spanning both human and veterinary fields.
Cite This Article
APA
Textor JA, Murphy KC, Leach JK, Tablin F.
(2014).
Ultrastructure and growth factor content of equine platelet-rich fibrin gels.
Am J Vet Res, 75(4), 392-401.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.4.392 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Becaplermin
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Biotechnology
- Blood Platelets / metabolism
- Female
- Fibrin / chemistry
- Fibrinogen / analysis
- Gels / chemistry
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / analysis
- Tissue Engineering
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Carmona JU, López C, Argüelles D. Addressing Heterogeneity in Equine PRP Therapies: A Scoping Review of Methods, Evidence, and Commercial Validation. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 13;15(24).
- Seabaugh KA, Thoresen M, Giguère S. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Increases Growth Factor Release from Equine Platelet-Rich Plasma In Vitro. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:205.
- Wang X, Friis TE, Masci PP, Crawford RW, Liao W, Xiao Y. Alteration of blood clot structures by interleukin-1 beta in association with bone defects healing. Sci Rep 2016 Oct 21;6:35645.
- Wang X, Luo Y, Masci PP, Crawford R, Xiao Y. Influence of Interleukin-1 Beta on Platelet-Poor Plasma Clot Formation: A Potential Impact on Early Bone Healing. PLoS One 2016;11(2):e0149775.
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