Calidad del plasma rico en plaquetas: estudio de la activación plaquetaria

Objective. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation currently used in oral and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. Blood collection and preparation of platelet concentrates may lead to platelet activation and the premature loss of their granular load. In this study, we have analyzed the quality of the PRP obtained from a small volume of whole blood through a double centrifugation technique, so called "tube method". Design. We obtained 50 ml of whole blood from 45 patients and centrifuged at 200 g for 10 minutes. The plasma and buffy-coat were collected and we then centrifuged at 700g for 15 minutes. The pellet was resuspended after discarding 2/3 of the plasma. The platelet concentration, platelet activation and the functional response to thrombin were analyzed in these samples. Results. By using this method of PRP preparation, we obtained a 364 177% increase in platelet concentration in comparison with whole blood levels. Platelet activation, measured by flow cytometry analysis of CD62 expression, was of 2.7% in unprocessed blood and 3.6% in fresh PRP. This figure increased to 16% in PRP samples after overnight storage at room temperature. A percentage of 96% of platelets showed activation in PRP samples after thrombin stimulation. Conclusion. Our results show that platelets contained in PRP concentrates obtained by this method are not significantly activated. A good functional platelet reserve is preserved through the procedure, since platelets maintained a satisfactory response to thrombin after PRP preparation.