Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a biological agent has gained popularity over the last decade or more in treating a wide variety of conditions in different fields of medicine. Basically, a patient’s blood is collected and centrifuged at varying speeds until it separates into 3 layers: platelet poor plasma (PPP), PRP, and red blood cells. Usually, 2 spins are used.
Platelets play a fundamental role in hemostasis and are a natural source of growth factors. Growth factors, stored within platelet α-granules, include platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin like growth factor (IGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived angiogenic factor (PDAF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). The release of these growth factors is triggered by the activation of platelets that can be initiated by a variety of substances or stimuli such as thrombin, calcium chloride, or collagen.
Although PRP has been in use since the 1980s and has gained increasing popularity over time, there continue to be controversies and conflicting results regarding its effectiveness and the scope of its applicability in treating clinical conditions. Today, the scope within which PRP is being used is vast, including orthopedics, regenerative medicine (melasma, skin rejuvenation, periorbital hyperpigmentation, hair growth, scars/stretch marks, psoriasis and vitiligo), Rheumatoid arthritis, maxillofacial (temporomandibular osteoarthritis [OA]), non-diabetic foot ulcers, laryngeal application (vocal cord scarring), erectile dysfunction (Peyronie’s disease), retinitis pigmentosa, vaginal atrophy and even infertility (intra-ovarian injections).
