Autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in bone tissue healing - does it work? Assessment of PRP effect on bone defect healing in animal models.

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparations can be used in bone tissue healing but there are numerous doubts among clinical orthopedists about effectiveness of this method.

Materials And Methods: The studies were carried out in 12 rabbits of white termond breed. In operating room we operationally generated cylindrical, unicortical defects of the diameter of 4 mm in the middle of the shafts of both femurs. The defects in the left bones were left without filling and served as controls, and 0.7 ml of the ready-to-use PRP was administered to the defects in the right bones (experimental group). We evaluated the usefulness of the diagnostic methods applied: biomechanical tests, micro-CT tests, densitometry, typical radiology, macroscopic measurements, histopathological examinations.

Results: The macroscopic measurements showed a statistically significant increase in the dimension in the area of the right defect filled with PRP in relation to the control group. In experimented group, the assessment of the X-ray images showed the formation of a callus cuff around the defects. Densitometric examinations showed no statistically significant differences between defects in the experimental and control group. The analysis of the micro-CT examina- tions showed an increase in the total volume of the tissue examined (Vb) and the low density tissue fraction (Vb2) in the experimental group. The biomechanical examinations revealed signi- ficant decrease in the maximum breaking force (F max) necessary to break the bone in the experi- mental group in relation to the control group.

Conclusions: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stimulates bone formation in the area of bone defects and may accelerate bone regeneration.