Effects of rotor angle and time after centrifugation on the biological in vitro properties of platelet rich fibrin membranes

This study evaluated the impact of rotor angle and time of storage after centrifugation on the in vitro biological properties of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes. Blood samples (n= 9) were processed with a vertical fixed-angle (V) or a swing-out horizontal (H) centrifuge, with 20-60 min of sample storage after centrifugation. Leukocytes, platelets, and red blood cells were counted, and fibrin architecture was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The release of FGF2, PDGFbb, VEGF, IL-6, and IL-1 beta was measured after incubation on culture media for 7-21 days. Cell content was equivalent in all experimental groups (p > .05). The fibrin matrix was similar for fixed-angle and horizontal centrifugation. Horizontal centrifugation induced a twofold increase in PDGF and 1.7x increase on FGF release as compared to V samples, while IL-1 beta was significantly reduced (p < .05). No significant difference was observed on the release of growth factors and cytokines at different times after centrifugation (p < .05). These data suggest that both angles of centrifugation produce PRF membranes with similar structure and cellularity, but horizontal centrifugation induces a higher release of growth factors. Higher times of storage after centrifugation did not impact on cell content and the release of growth factors.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the impact of rotor angle and time of storage after centrifugation on the in vitro biological properties of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes. Both fixed-angle and horizontal centrifugation produced PRF membranes with similar structure and cellularity, but horizontal centrifugation induced a higher release of growth factors. Higher times of storage after centrifugation did not impact on cell content and the release of growth factors.