Correlation of platelet concentration in platelet-rich plasma to the extraction method, age, sex, and platelet count of the donor

An important reason to improve methods of isolating platelet-rich plasma (P RP) is the potential use of autologous platelet growth factors. In addition to discontinuous plasma separation, a second method for extraction of PRP has now become available, which can be performed directly by the surgeon. I n this study, the suitability of the 2 methods of producing PRP was compare d. Whole blood was drawn from 158 healthy donors (112 men, 46 women) aged 2 0 to 62 years (mean 34, SD 10). The PRP was separated by the discontinuous plasma separation method (by the blood bank) or by the so-called "buffy coa t" method (the "self-concentration" method, analogous to the PRP Kit, Curas an, Kleinostheim, Germany). Platelet counts differed significantly accordin g to donor blood (median men 237,500/muL, women 272,000/muL), blood bank PR P preparation (median men 1,302,000/muL, women 1,548,500/muL), and self-con centrated PRP (median men 944,000/muL, women 1,026,000/muL). The platelet c oncentration of the blood bank PRP correlated with the platelet count in th e donor whole blood (Spearman's correlation coefficient r(S) = 0.73). Howev er, there was no significant correlation between the platelet count of self -concentrated PRP and donor whole blood (r(S) = 0.22). Significant but irre levant influences of sex on platelet concentration were found, but no influ ence of age was detected.