Concentrated growth factors: basic characteristics and clinical application.

INTRODUCTION: The beneficial activity of platelet concentrates (PC), during healing process is mainly attributed to the regenerative potential of growth factors (GF) released from platelets. Since concentrated growth factor (CGF) possesses great regenerative properties, in recent years has gained increased attention for regenerative procedures. CONTENT: Based on a comprehensive analysis of recent basic and clinical studies on CGF, present review summarizes the most used procedures for CGF, PRF (platelet rich fibrin) and PRP (platelet rich plasma) preparation and simultaneously clarify advantages and disadvantages of regenerative properties among CGF, PRF and PRP. Also, current review intends to clarify the physiologic role of certain CGF components and to analyze their potential clinical applications in regenerative medicine. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: This form of PC is completely autologous product, requires one centrifugation step with alternating speed for production and easy to prepare with minimal expenses. Furthermore, CGF contains high amount of GF, which are continuously released for days, and formed fibrin matrix is more stable compared to the other forms of PC (PRP and PRF). Furthermore, some limitations of CGF application and points which should be resolved by incoming research studies to further elucidate the CGF protocol standardization and potential effect of leukocytes.