4 Facts Every PRP Provider Should Know

In the presence of monocytes, platelets release growth factors and anabolic cytokines which promote tissue regeneration and healing

In the presence of granulocytes, platelets release catabolic cytokines

PRP rich in neutrophils will inhibit the healing and growth process

PRP rich in monocytes can enhance the healing and growth process

There are several studies showing varying results with PRP. What makes interpreting PRP data so difficult is that there is no standardization of the various components of the final PRP formula and each PRP system produces a different cellular mixture which impacts the clinical effect. Since several different types of PRP are bundled together in meta-analyses, it is difficult to derive a meaningful interpretation of results.

Every PRP Provider should know which factors determine an Optimal PRP formula.

  • Platelets: Initially, researchers and clinicians were focused on platelet concentration. It is now understood that concentration is not as important as the total number of platelets in a given dose of PRP.
  • RBC content
    • RBCs are Proinflammatory (Riboh 2016)
    • RBCs are Chondrotoxic (Riboh 2016)
  • WBC content
    • How many neutrophils vs. monocytes are in the final PRP solution?
    • Neutrophils (PMNs) are pro-inflammatory and promote catabolic pathways
    • Monocytes aid healing and promote anabolic pathways
    • The optimal PRP formula, then, has low PMNs and high Monocytes
  • Anticoagulant
    • Many PRP systems require providers to add an anti-coagulant in the preparation process
    • Most anticoagulants used are acidic (e.g. ACD, EDTA) and induce pain upon injection
    • Injection of acidic solutions induce pain
    • The anticoagulant used in Tropocells® collection is buffered to a physiologic pH to maximize platelet yield and to decrease pain upon injection; it also helps maximize platelet yield so less blood needs to be drawn

Many PRP systems require a 60 mL blood draw for a single treatment site and up to 120 mL for 2 treatment sites. The Tropocells® system uses a patent-protected gel separation technology that results in high platelet yields so only 11 mL of blood is needed for a single treatment site (22 mL for two treatment sites).

Centrifuge
PRP Kit (Phlebotomy supplies, PRP collection tube, ancillary supplies for preparation)

Some PRP systems are cumbersome and require multiple steps and double spin cycles. Tropocells® is one of the easiest PRP systems to use with a single 10 minute spin time followed by platelet resuspension and drawing up of the PRP.

Our team is ready to help clinicians and their staff launch their PRP practice. Following practice launch, we continue to provide literature updates, ongoing education and support to our clients.
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