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Review
. 2025 Feb;97(1):95-103.
doi: 10.1111/prd.12565. Epub 2024 Apr 10.

How to explain the beneficial effects of platelet-rich plasma

Reinhard Gruber  1
Affiliations
Review

How to explain the beneficial effects of platelet-rich plasma

Reinhard Gruber. Periodontol 2000. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the platelet and leukocyte-containing plasmatic fraction of anticoagulated autologous blood. While evidence supporting the clinical use of PRP in dentistry is low, PRP is widely used in sports medicine, orthopedics, and dermatology. Its beneficial activity is commonly attributed to the growth factors released from platelets accumulating in PRP; however, evidence is indirect and not comprehensive. There is thus a demand to revisit PRP with respect to basic and translational science. This review is to (i) recapitulate protocols and tools to prepare PRP; (ii) to discuss the cellular and molecular composition of PRP with a focus on platelets, leukocytes, and the fibrin-rich extracellular matrix of coagulated plasma; and finally (iii) to discuss potential beneficial effects of PRP on a cellular and molecular level with an outlook on its current use in dentistry and other medical fields.

Keywords: PRF; PRP; bone regeneration; dentistry; dermatology; fibrin; growth factors; leukocytes; orthopedics; platelets; platelet‐rich plasma; sports medicine; wound healing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Reinhard Gruber declares no conflict of interest.

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