title: Growth Factor Measurement and Histological Analysis in Platelet Rich Fibrin: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare growth factor amount contained in platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and compare with that in platelet rich plasma (PRP), and in whole blood. And also to investigate distribution of growth factors and cellular components in PRF.
  
  
  METHODS
  PRF and PRP were obtained from the same sample of peripheral blood. Extraction of proteins were done with lysis buffer, accompanied by freeze and thaw procedures. Concentration of two representative growth factors in platelets: platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PRF was cut into three parts: (top, middle and bottom), and growth factor concentration was measured respectively. Paraffin embedded section of PRF was observed with Giemsa stain. Immuno-histochemical analysis with anti-PDGF and anti-TGF-β antibodies was also conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The growth factor levels in PRF was higher than in peripheral blood and comparable to those in PRP. Growth factor levels in bottom part of PRF was much higher than in top and middle part. Microscopically, platelets and mono-nucleated cells were concentrated just above the yellow-red interface. Poly-nucleated cells were concentrated below the interface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The growth factors were surely concentrated in PRF. This result can support basis of good clinical outcomes. For effective application of PRF, the knowledge that growth factors and cells are not equally distributed in PRF should be utilized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Soh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Kazutoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sotsuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Mukogawa-cho 1-1, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501 Japan.
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kakibuchi
keywords: ELISA; Growth factor; Immuno-histochemistry; Mono-nucleated cells; Platelet rich fibrin