Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derivative mainly composed of fibrin networks, has been increasingly demonstrated to be effective in wound healing in clinical and pre-clinical animal studies. However, there has still been a concern that major growth factors may significantly be loss from PRF during its preparation through the slow clotting process. To address this concern, we compared the angiogenic potential of PRF and PRP by standardization of procedures based on volume ratios.
PRP, PRF, and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were prepared from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. PRF preparations were squeezed or homogenized to produce exudate (PRF exu) or extract (PRF ext), respectively. Concentrations of the angiogenic factors and their bioactivities were determined using ELISA kits, a scratch assay using endothelial cells and a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.