Cranial Bone Regeneration by Controlled Release of Platelet Growth Factors from Biodegradable Hydrogel

Abstract

Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been clinically employed to promote bone repairing. However, little has been investigated on the materials combination of PRP to enhance the biological function of growth factors present in platelets. In this study, feasibility of gelatin hydrogels in the controlled release of platelet growth factors and the consequent enhancement of PRP-induced bone regeneration were evaluated by a cranial bone defect model of rabbits. In conclusion, the gelatin hydrogel achieved the controlled release of bioactive platelet growth factors to significantly promote bone regeneration, in marked contrast to PRP alone.