Background: This study evaluates the influence of platelet-rich plasma derived from bone marrow aspirate (PRP-BMA) on the healing of periodontal fenestration defects in rats.
Methods: Periodontal fenestration defects were surgically created in the mandibles of 40 rats. The animals were randomly divided into two groups, control and PRP-BMA, in which defects were filled with blood clot or PRP-bma, respectively. Animals were euthanized at either 10 or 30 days post-surgery. Histologic, histometric, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Percentage of new bone area (NBA), area of bone trabeculae (ABT), new cementum (NC), and extension of remaining defect were histometrically evaluated. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) immunohistochemical staining were performed. Immunolabeled cells were quantified. Data were statistically analyzed (analysis of variance; Tukey, P <0.05).
Results: At 10 days, control and PRP-BMA groups presented similar amounts of NBA and ABT; NC formation was not observed. At 30 days, control and PRP-BMA groups presented similar amounts of NBA and ABT; the PRP-BMA group showed NC formation with collagen fibers inserted obliquely or perpendicularly to the root surface. NC formation was not observed in any control group specimen. PRP- BMA presented higher numbers of PCNA-positive and BSP-positive cells than control at 10 and 30 days post-surgery. No significant differences in the number of either OCN-positive or TRAP-positive cells were observed between groups at 10 or 30 days.
Conclusion: PRP-BMA promoted NC formation with a functional periodontal ligament when applied at experimental periodontal fenestration defects.
Keywords: Bone marrow; dental cementum; periodontics; platelet-rich plasma; rats; wound healing.