Abstract
Background and Objectives
Platelet Gel (PG) is rich in growth factors including Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) that have healing properties. In this study, the platelet growth factors were evaluated in the platelet gel prepared from umbilical cord blood (CB) and peripheral blood.
 
Materials and Methods
In this case-control study, blood samples from 30 umbilical cord blood volunteers and 30 peripheral blood donors were evaluated. PG was prepared from the collected samples. The concentrations of platelet growth factors in platelet gel supernatant were measured at different storage times (0, 0.5, 1, 6, and 24 hours) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.
 
Results
ELISA assay revealed that the concentration of PDGF and VEGF in CB-PG supernatant was dramatically higher following. 6 hours of incubation of PG (p< 0.01). The concentration levels of PDGF in CB-PG at 0 and 6 hours of incubation were 38.9 ± 7.1 and 73.2 ± 10.9 ng/mL, respectively. Also TGF and EGF levels were significantly increased following 24 hours of incubation (p< 0.01). At all times tested, the level of measured growth factors in CB-PG was higher than the peripheral blood PG.
 
Conclusions 
A variety of growth factors is released from the platelets at significant levels in CB-PG which can mediate healing process.