Application of platelet-rich plasma in compensating bone defects with ceramic Implants

Introduction The use of ceramic materials is a promising approach to bone defect repair. Various orthobiological agents are used to improve their properties and enhance their regenerative potential. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in repairing bone defects with yttria-doped zirconia ceramic implants.

Materials and Methods Bioceramic samples were zirconium dioxide. The ceramic implants measured 0.15 × 0.15 × 1.00 cm. Male Chinchilla rabbits were used in the experiment: Group 1 (n = 10) included animals that underwent bilateral metaphyseal bone defect filling with implantation of ceramic augments; Group 2 (n = 10) included animals that underwent bone defect repair without implantation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was injected into the bone defect in the right femur of rabbits in both groups; PRP was not injected into the defect in the left femur. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and at the end of the experiment, four and eight weeks after surgery. Key blood parameters, including C-reactive protein, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in PRP were determined. To assess the effect of PRP on the dynamics of osteogenesis, a comparative histological analysis of the tissue structure in the simulated bone defect area was conducted.

Results No significant differences were found between the groups in key parameters of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets, or C-reactive protein levels, either preoperatively or eight weeks after surgery. The concentration of PDGF in the injected PRP did not differ significantly between the groups. Histological analysis showed that injection of PRP increased the number of regenerating bone trabeculae and reduced the number and size of fibrotic foci and osteochondral callus in both groups.

Discussion Autologous PRP has previously been shown to be a simple and effective way to enhance bone regeneration due to the release of multiple growth factors by platelets, which regulate key biological processes, including angiogenesis, inflammation resolution, and tissue regeneration. Our study aimed to investigate whether platelet-rich plasma enhances the osteogenic potential of zirconia ceramic implants in bone defect repair. Our results confirm that PRP, with a platelet concentration of 800 × 10⁹/L to 1200 × 10⁹/L, a white blood cell count of 4–7 %, and a red blood cell count of no more than 1 % of the baseline blood count, may be a useful tool for bone regeneration.

Conclusion The use of PRP is effective in compensating bone defects using zirconia ceramic implants. However, further rigorous clinical studies are needed to integrate PRP-based methods into evidence-based medical practice.

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