Objectives: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of platelet- rich fibrin (PRF) on bone defects regeneration in diabetic rats by histological studies of tibial bone and immunohistochemical examination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Methods:The present investigation was carried out on eighty adult male albino rats. They were divided randomly into four main groups (each of 20 rats) as the following:
Group (I): Normal control rats, received 0.9% saline I.P. only.
Group (II): Diabetic control rats, received 0.9% saline I.P.
Group (III): Diabetic experimental rats, received PRF.
Group (IV): Proposed group (normal control rats received PRF).
Five animals from each group were killed after 7, 14, 30 and 60 days alternatively post operatively. Diabetes was induced by injection of monohydrated alloxan. PRF was isolated from the blood of the animals in group III and IV. Bony defects were created in the tibia. The bony cavity was lifted without grafts in group I and II, while in group III and IV the bony defect received PRF. After compeletion of the experiment, the tibia was removed and the specimens were examined histologically by H&E and Masson's trichrome stains and immunohistochemically for demonstration of "VEGF".
Results: The histological results demonstrated that there was obvious retardation in the granulation tissue and bone formation in the diabetic control group than other groups. Moreover, there was great acceleration in the bone formation in the groups treated with PRF.
Immuno-expression of the VEGF was more intense in ossifying centers, around newly formed woven bone trabeculae, in bone marrow spaces and the wall of blood vessels of diabetic and proposed groups treated with PRF.
Conclusion: The best healing and bone regeneration occurred in the groups treated with PRF which was markedly increased along the intervals of the study.