Mechanism of Action of Platelet Rich Plasma on Bone Healing

Introduction:The use of autogenous concentrated blood products, particularly platelets, has become increasingly widespread as an effective clinical tool to accelerate wound healing. Upon activation, platelets release cytokines (i.e PDGF and TGFß1) and platelet membrane particles (PMP). Major obstacles to understanding the mechanisms of these clinical successes lie in the many different clinical protocols that have been employed to prepare platelet concentrate and activate platelets. Thus, although the detailed mechanisms by which these wound healing effects are generated remain unknown, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet concentrate (PC) strategies have generated considerable excitement in some surgical communities, and have become particularly popular in oromaxillo-facial and orthopedic procedures, where clinical reports have suggested remarkably shortened, but inconsistent, wound healing periods. We have conducted qualitative and quantitative in-vitro and in-vivo analyses of activated platelet releasate (PR) effects on bone formation.