Platelet rich plasma enhances osteoconductive properties of a hydroxyapatite-β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold (Skelite™) for late healing of critical size rabbit calvarial defects

The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in bone repair remains highly controversial. In this work, we evaluated the effect of lyophilized PRP on bone regeneration when associated with a silicon stabilized hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate scaffold in a rabbit calvarial defect (Skelite™). Critical defects were created in the calvaria of twenty-four rabbits. The periosteum was removed and the defects were either left empty or filled with allogeneic PRP gel; Skelite particles; Skelite and PRP gel. Four animals were killed after 4 weeks, 10 animals after 8 and 10 after 16 weeks. Specimens were processed for X-ray microtomography (μCT) and for resin embedded histology. μCT analysis revealed significant osteoid-like matrix and new bone deposition in PRP + Skelite group at both 8 and 16 weeks in respect to Skelite alone. Histologically, PRP + Skelite defects were highly cellular with more abundant osteoid deposition and more regular collagen fibres. Moreover, in vitro migration assays confirmed the chemotactic effect of PRP to endothelial and osteoprogenitor cells. We conclude that the addition of PRP influenced the local tissue microenvironment by providing key cryptic factors for regeneration, thereby enhancing progenitor cell recruitment, collagen and bone matrix deposition, and by creating a bridging interface between the scaffold and bone.