The heat-compression technique for the conversion of platelet-rich fibrin preparation to a barrier membrane with a reduced rate of biodegradation

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was developed as an advanced form of platelet-rich plasma to eliminate xenofactors, such as bovine thrombin, and it is mainly used as a source of growth factor for tissue regeneration. Furthermore, although a minor application, PRF in a compressed membrane-like form has also been used as a substitute for commercially available barrier membranes in guided-tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment. However, the PRF membrane is resorbed within 2 weeks or less at implantation sites; therefore, it can barely maintain sufficient space for bone regeneration. In this study, we developed and optimized a heat-compression technique and tested the feasibility of the resulting PRF membrane. Freshly prepared human PRF was first compressed with dry gauze and subsequently with a hot iron. Biodegradability was microscopically examined in vitro by treatment with plasmin at 37°C or in vivo by subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. Compared with the control gauze-compressed PRF, the heat-compressed PRF appeared plasmin-resistant and remained stable for longer than 10 days in vitro. Additionally, in animal implantation studies, the heat-compressed PRF was observed at least for 3 weeks postimplantation in vivo whereas the control PRF was completely resorbed within 2 weeks. Therefore, these findings suggest that the heat-compression technique reduces the rate of biodegradation of the PRF membrane without sacrificing its biocompatibility and that the heat-compressed PRF membrane easily could be prepared at chair-side and applied as a barrier membrane in the GTR treatment.

Platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives as promising bioactive materials for regenerative medicine: basic principles and concepts underlying recent advances

“…However, GTR membranes are expected to function for at least 4-8 weeks or longer. To increase PRF membrane stability, we recently developed a heat-compression technique that is expected to reduce the surface area and increase cross-linkage between fibrin fibers within PRF preparations [60]. As expected, this heatcompressed material was more resistant to biodegradation.…”

“…A promising candidate for use as a barrier membrane is a heat-compressed PRF membrane [60]. Compressed PRF membranes biodegrade at the site of implantation within approximately 10 days.…”

Mechanical and degradation properties of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF), concentrated growth factors (CGF), and platelet-poor plasma-derived fibrin (PPTF)

“…Therefore, it is apparent that growth factor release by degradation of fibrin fibers [11] is not well simulated. In the data obtained from our previous [12] and preliminary studies, fibrin clots can be maintained without substantial degradation under similar protease-free conditions for longer than a week. However, clinicians have frequently claimed based on their clinical experiences that fibrin clots applied to surgical sites, e.g., socket after tooth extraction, are almost completely degraded within a week or two.…”

The effect of L-PRF membranes on bone healing in rabbit tibiae bone defects: micro-CT and biomarker results

“…(2001), and has been referred to as a second generation platelet concentrate4. Fibrin is a natural guide for angiogenesis, traps the circulating stem cells5 and provides wound protection by epithelial coverage67. The fibrin matrix of L-PRF is obtained as a result of slow polymerization.…”