Growth factor levels in platelet-rich plasma and correlations with donor age, sex, and platelet count.
BACKGROUND
Platelet-rich plasma contains autologous thrombocyte growth factors and might be promising for acceleration of dentoalveolar bone regeneration. In this study, it was analysed for platelet counts and growth factor concentrations.


METHODS
Platelet-rich plasma was isolated by discontinuous cell separation from 158 healthy men and 55 women aged 17-62 years. One hundred and fifteen specimens (stratified for age and gender of the donor) were analysed for growth factor concentrations and platelet count.


RESULTS
The platelet count in platelet-rich plasma (1,407,640+/-320,100/microl) was 5 times higher than in donor blood (266,040+/-60,530/microl). Platelet-derived growth factor AB (117+/-63 ng/ml), transforming growth factor (TGF) beta -1 (169+/-84 ng/ml), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I (84+/-23 ng/ml) were found in large amounts, while platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB (10+/-8 ng/ml) and transforming growth factor beta -2 (0.4+/-0.3 ng/ml) were found in small amounts only. The growth factor content was not well correlated with the platelet count in whole blood nor with the platelet-rich plasma (r(p)=0.35). No influence of gender or age on platelet count or growth factor concentrations was discovered (except IGF-I).


CONCLUSIONS
While there was substantial variation in the growth factor content of platelet-rich plasma, the factors influencing this are still worthy of further investigation. Furthermore, a technique whereby the growth factor content could be rapidly assessed in platelet-rich plasma may be of therapeutic benefit.
Weibrich
Gernot
G
Department for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. weibrich@mkg.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kleis
Wilfried K G
WK
Hafner
Gerd
G
Hitzler
Walter E
WE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000077214:Becaplermin; D001782:Blood Donors; D001792:Blood Platelets; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D010983:Plateletpheresis; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012737:Sex Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2
D005782:Gels; D006133:Growth Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; C509041:TGFB2 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; C095477:platelet-derived growth factor AB; D000077214:Becaplermin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I