The effect of anticoagulants on the quality and biological efficacy of platelet-rich plasma.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effect of anticoagulants on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) quality to determine the appropriate anticoagulants for PRP production.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was carried out at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College. The microstructure of platelets collected with heparin, citrate, acid citrate dextrose (ACD) and citrate-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole (CTAD) was observed. The extent of spontaneous activation of platelets was detected by measuring sP-selectin in plasma. The amount of TGF-beta1 released from PRP and the effect of PRP on cell proliferation were also studied.

RESULTS

ACD and CTAD were superior to heparin and citrate in maintaining the integrity of platelet structures and preventing the platelet spontaneous activation. ACD-PRP and CTAD-PRP released more TGF-beta1 and significantly enhanced the proliferation of human marrow stromal cells compared to heparin-PRP and citrate-PRP.

CONCLUSIONS

The PRP quality was closely related to the type of anticoagulants. ACD and CTAD are appropriate anticoagulants for PRP production.