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 (PRP) 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. In this study, the suitability of the 2 methods of producing PRP was compared. Whole blood was drawn from 158 healthy donors (112 men, 46 women) aged 20 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 coat" method (the "self-concentration" method, analogous to the PRP Kit, Curasan, Kleinostheim, Germany). Platelet counts differed significantly according to donor blood (median men 237,500/microL, women 272,000/microL), blood bank PRP preparation (median men 1,302,000/microL, women 1,548,500/microL), and self-concentrated PRP (median men 944,000/microL, women 1,026,000/microL). The platelet concentration of the blood bank PRP correlated with the platelet count in the donor whole blood (Spearman's correlation coefficient r(s) = 0.73). However, there was no significant correlation between the platelet count of self-concentrated PRP and donor whole blood (r(s) = 0.22). Significant but irrelevant influences of sex on platelet concentration were found, but no influence of age was detected.