The heat-compression technique for the conversion of platelet-rich fibrin preparation to a barrier membrane with a reduced rate of biodegradation

TLDR

Platelet‑rich fibrin (PRF) is an advanced, xenofactor‑free platelet‑rich plasma derivative used as a growth‑factor source for tissue regeneration and, in compressed form, as a substitute barrier membrane in guided‑tissue regeneration. The study aimed to develop and optimize a heat‑compression technique to produce a PRF membrane with reduced biodegradation. Freshly prepared human PRF was compressed with dry gauze and then with a hot iron, and its biodegradability was examined in vitro with plasmin at 37 °C and in vivo via subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. Heat‑compressed PRF was plasmin‑resistant, remained stable for over 10 days in vitro, and persisted for at least 3 weeks in vivo, indicating reduced biodegradation without compromising biocompatibility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 825–831, 2015.

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was developed as an advanced form of platelet-rich plasma to eliminate xenofactors, such as bovine thrombin, and it is mainly used as a source of growth factor for tissue regeneration. Furthermore, although a minor application, PRF in a compressed membrane-like form has also been used as a substitute for commercially available barrier membranes in guided-tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment. However, the PRF membrane is resorbed within 2 weeks or less at implantation sites; therefore, it can barely maintain sufficient space for bone regeneration. In this study, we developed and optimized a heat-compression technique and tested the feasibility of the resulting PRF membrane. Freshly prepared human PRF was first compressed with dry gauze and subsequently with a hot iron. Biodegradability was microscopically examined in vitro by treatment with plasmin at 37°C or in vivo by subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. Compared with the control gauze-compressed PRF, the heat-compressed PRF appeared plasmin-resistant and remained stable for longer than 10 days in vitro. Additionally, in animal implantation studies, the heat-compressed PRF was observed at least for 3 weeks postimplantation in vivo whereas the control PRF was completely resorbed within 2 weeks. Therefore, these findings suggest that the heat-compression technique reduces the rate of biodegradation of the PRF membrane without sacrificing its biocompatibility and that the heat-compressed PRF membrane easily could be prepared at chair-side and applied as a barrier membrane in the GTR treatment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 825–831, 2015.