Chloride and Calcium Gluconate in Activated PRP

Abstract

Abstract Activated Platelet rich plasma (PRP) contains autologous growth factors such as PDGF, VEGF and TGF-Beta that promote wound healing. Currently, we use calcium chloride in the commercial kit for platelet activation.  This kit has high cost and not readily available in Thailand. This prompt us to seek for a more appropriate alternative activator in PRP preparation.

Objective To compare the growth factor level released from platelet after activation PRP with calcium chloride and calcium gluconate.

Method This is a cross sectional study of 5 healthy subjects  whose  whole blood were collected and centrifuged to obtain PRP.  Activation of PRP was performed by adding 10% calcium chloride and 10% calcium gluconate. Blood derivatives were incubated for 10 min in room temperature and then were evaluated for the release of 13 different growth factors by bead based immunoassay.

Result  Calcium chloride and calcium gluconate induced the release of M-CSF, PDGF-AA, SCF, TGF-alpha, VEGF at a non statistically significant different level (p>0.05) except the PDGF-BB that was significantly higher in calcium gluconate compared with calcium chloride (1048.20 + 531.82 pg/mL VS 647.36 + 538.49 pg/mL, p value=0.031)  

Conclusion Calcium gluconate can be used as an activator for PRP preparation in replace of calcium chloride. Calcium gluconate offers an advantage of inexpensiveness and more widely available in Thailand than calcium chloride.