Quantification of Growth Factors in Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is the focus of research on the efficacy of regeneration of soft tissue and hard tissue in the dental field. PRF includes vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1). It is essential to quantitate the growth factors in PRF to evaluate its efficacy. In the present preliminary study, we quantitate TGF-beta1, VEGF and IGF-1 in PRF. Blood was collected from 10 healthy volunteers ranging in age from 25 to 51 years. The 10 ml blood samples were collected from the peripheral vein. After immediate centrifugation at 2,750 rpm for 10 minutes with 1000G, the platelet-poor plasma (PPP), which accumulated at the top, was collected. PRF was collected approximately 2 mm below its connection to the red corpuscle. The PPP and PRF were stored in tubes, and the quantity of TGF-beta1, VEGF and IGF-1 were quantified by ELISA. There were no significant differences in the level of IGF-1 in the PPP and PRF. However, the levels of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in PRF were significantly higher than in PPP. These results suggest that PRF has some ability to stimulate soft tissue healing and bone regeneration.