Adjunctive effect of collagen membrane coverage to L-PRF in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects: a randomized controlled clinical trial with biochemical assessment

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory wide- spread infection with exceptionally offensive mutilation of the periodontium. Regenerative periodontal surgery aims to restore periodontal tissues lost during progression of the disease. For vertical bone defects regenerative interventions included the use of enamel matrix derivatives, Nd:YAG laser, bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration (GTR), and biologic modifiers to achieve regeneration [1]. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) utilizes a barrier membrane for bio- exclusion of unfavorable cells and allowing for restoring the harmed periodontal tissues that were lost [2]. Biologic modifiers on the other hand, target tissue engineering strategies and protocols including platelet concentrates and growth factors (GF) to amplify the regenerative potential within the periodontal lesion [3].

Naturally, activated platelets in the wound clot secrete coagulation factors, cytokines, and GF to orchestrate the physiological events of wound healing [4]. Of particular interest, Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) regulate the migration, proliferation, and survival of the mesenchymal cells and enhance extra cellular matrix remodeling via promotion of collagen production [5]. In addition, Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) stimulate angiogenesis within tissues, new vessel formation, and eventually increase tissue perfusion and nutrient supply [6]. In contrast to the short half-life of the naturally released GF, platelet concentrates served as successful biologic modifiers providing higher concentrations for longer duration. Among various generations of platelet concentrates, Platelets rich fibrin (PRF) possesses a three-dimensional fibrin scaffold trapping numerous autologous platelets, neutrophils, and macrophages; the result is a biomaterial with an antibacterial features and considerable reservoir of a sustained and gradual release of GF over time [7].

Both GTR and PRF have their limitations in the literature; Despite collagen membranes (CMs) used in GTR do not require removal from the wound site and could retain their structural identity throughout the degradation process, several obstacles exist that pose GTR technique to collapse in clinical situations including contamination, uncontrolled degradation rates, uncontrolled barrier function, and mechanical collapse of the membrane. Most importantly, it possesses a limited capability for regeneration [8]. Consequently, most regenerative studies concentrate on either improving membrane features, [9] or enhancing the wound healing dynamics (e.g., platelet concentrates). Regarding L-PRF, biochemical quantification of GF release was documented in the literature however, most studies were in vitro and ex- vivo models that neglect the open wound nature and the complex microbial challenge in periodontal lesions. Consequently, some clinical trials demonstrated that L-PRF and L-PRF blocks can sustain the release of GF for 7–14 days [10], contrary to others who reported no significant differences in GF levels between L-PRF enhanced periodontal wounds and non L-PRF biomaterials [11].

In the present study, it was speculated that CM can be used to preserve the GF concentrations released by L-PRF enhancing the clinical and radiographic outcomes in treating infrabony pockets. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes for infrabony defects treated with L-PRF with and without CM coverage and to evaluate the secretory profile of PDGF and VEGF during early stages of periodontal tissue healing.

The study protocol was following the Declaration of Helsinki (revised in October 2018) and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University (FDASU-RecD061808). A total number of thirty patients undergoing periodontal therapy were enrolled in this prospective cohort randomized clinical and biochemical trial consecutively from the outpatient clinic of Periodontology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo-Egypt between January 2020 to November 2021. Participants were informed verbally and written informed consent was obtained.

The current investigation is a prospective clinical trial which involved 30 subjects (12 males and 18 females, mean age 38.75 years) assigned to: OFD (n = 10); L-PRF (n = 10); L-PRF + CM (n = 10). Baseline data, intervention and follow up were carried out between January 2020 and November 2021. The demographic characteristics of the study participants are shown in (S Table 1). During the study, no dropouts were reported, and all surgical sites demonstrated uneventful healing without any wound site infection or flap dehiscence. All subjects completed the follow-up visits and complied with the study recall appointments. Table 1 shows the statistical summary of the clinical and radiographic outcomes using mean and standard deviation of GI, PI, PPD, CAL, CEJ-BD, and CEJ-AC.

Before surgical intervention, baseline periodontal indices (PI, GI, PPD, CAL) as well as radio-graphic parameters (CEJ-AC and CEJ-BD) demonstrated statistically insignificant differences between the three treatment groups (Table 1). Similarly, biochemical quantification of the two GF (PDGF and VEGF) on day 1 demonstrated statistically insignificant differences in mean concentrations between the three groups (Table 2).

Within each group, statistically significant reduction in the PI, GI, PD, and PD (P < 0.05) was observed throughout the study period. In a similar manner, the percentage of the alveolar crest (CEJ-AC) resorption was statistically significant in OFD (6.38%; P = 0.009), L-PRF (6.38%; P = 0.009), and L-PRF + CM (6.38%; P = 0.009). The percentage reduction in defect depth (CEJ-BD) was significant for OFD (7.25%; P = 0.001), L-PRF (12.6%; P = 0.001), and L-PRF + CM (32.6%; P = 0.001). As shown in Fig. 4, crevicular fluid samples showed statistically significant reduction in PDGF concentrations for OFD (94.7%; P = 0.001), L-PRF (93.16%; P = 0.001), and L-PRF + CM (93.2%; P = 0.001). Similarly, changes in VEGF (Fig. 5) concentrations was significant through time reaching a percentage reduc-tion of (89.54% (P = 0.001), 89.58% (P = 0.001), and 89.54% (P = 0.001) for OFD, L-PRF, and L-PRF + CM respectively. The lack of a significant reduction in PDGF and VEGF was only observed be-tween the 3rd and 5th day intervals in all three groups.

Comparing between the three groups, changes in PI, GI, PD, and CAL were statistically insignificant after 6 months from surgical intervention (P > 0.05). While the amount of alveolar crest (CEJ-AC) resorption was not significant between the three groups (P = 0.24), reduction in the radiographic defect depth (CEJ-BD) was significantly greater (P = 0.001) in the third group (L-PRF + CM) (Fig. 6). Statistical comparison between the three groups for the concentrations of PDGF and VEGF revealed no significant differences in all measurement intervals (P > 0.05).

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults due to the progressive loss of supporting alveolar bone [12]. In regenerative periodontal therapy, the first strategy for successful restoration of periodontal defects applies GTR which involves protection of the infrabony periodontal lesion after debridement from penetration of the unfavorable gingival cells using barrier membranes. GTR have been extensively studied in the literature with successful clinical and experimental outcomes [13]. A second strategy in regeneration promotes the wound healing mechanism by triggering a triad of cells, signaling molecules, and a scaffold material [14].

The use of autologous platelet concentrates in the treatment of infrabony periodontal lesions have been reported in the literature with favorable results [15]. Among different platelet concentrates, L-PRF possesses a rigid fibrous scaffold acting as a reservoir for leukocytes and sustained release of signaling molecules. Unfortunately, little is known about the local GF release profile and the clinical equilibrium associated with its efficacy within the challenging periodontal defect [10]. Reviewing the literature, conflicting results existed between in vitro studies demonstrating the higher sustained concentration of GF in platelet concentrates [16, 17] and clinical trials reporting the lack of significant difference in release pattern and peak time of GF between unassisted and L-PRF assisted wounds [11, 18]. The latter claimed that even the increased initial GF concentrations with L-PRF did not translate into clinical benefits [18]. Interestingly CM are not considered mere passive barriers in periodontal wounds but active contributors in progenitor cell adhesion, and chemotaxis as well as GF adsorption. Among various studies about release kinetics of GF on barrier membranes, PDGF was studied most [19].

The contradiction in GF release between in- vitro and clinical studies as well as the reported adsorptive/ release potential of loaded CM arose the hypothesis of the possible benefit of using CM in retaining higher levels of GF from L-PRF harvests within intrabony defects. In the present study, coverage of L-PRF filled intrabony periodontal lesions with CM is investigated clinically and radiographically. In addition, the hypothesis for the local benefit of using CM in preserving PDGF-BB and VEGF concentrations is addressed.

The patients enrolled in the current study had stage III periodontitis with interproximal 2 or 3 osseous wall contained defects that are ≥ 3mm in depth. Predictability of regeneration depends not only on the number of remaining osseous walls but also the defect depth; deeper defects with higher number of osseous walls demonstrated higher radiographic bone gain and improved CAL [20]. Of all GF studied within L-PRF, PDGF and VEGF were the GF of choice for biochemical assessment. PDGF gained much attention in the literature due to its significant role in initiating the wound healing process, strengthening the wounds by collagen content elevation, and the stimulation of fibroblastic proliferation and migration [21]. VEGF gained much interest due to its role in controlling tissue perfusion and angiogenesis via enhancing vascular permeability and vascular endothelial cell chemotaxis [6].

In the current study, a statistically significant drop in GI and PI within every group was recorded despite the comparison between the tests and control was statistically insignificant. This suggests that oral hygiene measures and local factors debridement had a higher influence over the gingival health than the treatment protocol. Such findings run parallel with Sharma and Pradeep who reported a statistically significant intragroup reduction in PI and bleeding index without statistically significant difference between OFD and PRF in the treatment of furcation defects over a period of 9 months [22].

The mean PD reduction following treatment was ⁠3.8, 3.8 and 3.9 mm for OFD, L-PRF, and L-PRF + CM respectively. Despite L-PRF + CM group highest reduction in PD, there was no statistically significant intergroup difference. Similarly, the CAL mean reductions were 3.1mm, 3 mm and 2.6 mm for the three groups respectively in order with statistically insignificant difference between them despite the statistically significant reduction within all groups between observation intervals. This corresponds with one study which reported the lack of a statistically significant difference between CM and L-PRF in PD and CAL reduction [23]. The questionable benefit of L-PRF use in improving PD and CAL of infrabony defects coincide with a study reporting no statistically significant reduction in PD and CAL when L-PRF was added to Xenografts in comparison to the sole use of Xenografts or PRGF [11]. The conflicting results between the present study with the others [24] may be attributed to the heterogeneity in design and follow up range. All the screened studies lacked a standardized protocol for L-PRF preparation which complicates an accurate interpretation and comparison between results. Based on this, Castro et al. recommended directing the future research and manufacturers towards standardization of the preparation protocol and producing machinery [25].

The radiographic outcomes for the L-PRF + CM group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in DBF mean distance (2.12 mm) and percentage change (32.6%) in comparison to the OFD (mean reduction: 0.43 mm, % change: 7.25%) and L-PRF group (mean reduction: 0.8 mm, % change: 12.6%). The grounds of this reduction could be the expected synergistic effect of the GTR and the protected L-PRF membranes where the L-PRF expressed its classical potentials as GTR membranes. One clinical trial reported a greater percentage reduction (58.19 ± 13.24%) in defect depth fill when CM was used with PRF in comparison to CM [26]. Regarding the changes in the AC level assessment, all groups showed statistically significant intragroup mean reduction throughout the 6 months period unlike the interior comparisons which showed insignificant statistical significance. In the present study, one non tested interchangeable factor that may influence the amount of AC resorption is the surgical approach and flap design. Several theories are found to justify the alveolar crest reduction following flap reflection; First is the raised osteoclastic activity following mucoperiosteal flap elevation [27], a second explanation namely strain relaxation hypothesis claimed a relaxation of tension in gingival collagen fibers after severing them which stimulates alveolar bone resorption [28]. The same theory is supported by evidence of observing the rounding up of fibroblasts possessed by the periodontal ligament fibers following the mucoperiosteal flap surgeries, [28] whereas they tend to take a less elongated morphology in periodontitis models [29]. The non-significant difference in the amount of post-operative crestal resorption suggests failure of L-PRF in neutralizing the negative effects of the factors contributing to resorption.

For the growth factors’ concentrations, having the peak level at the first day following surgical intervention with subsequent regression was consistent with the existing evidence in the literature [10]. The sustainable reduction in PDGF levels throughout the 30 day period is also consistent with the findings of one study, which evaluated the PDGF levels in infrabony lesions treated with L-PRF membranes in comparison to CM having recombinant PDGF-BB [30]. Another study demonstrated a continuous decline of PDGF and VEGF despite the initial progression in the first three days [17]. Measurements obtained and sample preparation through incubation in culture in the latter study may justify the initial difference in release profile from the current study. Moreover, extraction wounds failed to demonstrate a difference in the release pattern of GF between L-PRF wounds versus the wounds with unassisted healing [10]. Several possible explanations clarify the lack of difference in GF between treatment protocols; (a) the diluting effect of the gingival crevicular fluid for the claimed high levels of GF released from L-PRF membrane in the local environment; (b) the open wound nature of periodontal defects; (c) the persistently contaminated nature of periodontal defects loaded with catalytic bacterial enzymatic activity; (d) the presence of a barrier membrane itself may have segregated the deeper GF concentrations from those in the crevicular fluid above it; (e) the use of conventional flap design rather than papilla preservation flaps might have compromised the degree of wound closure and, consequently, the amount of bone fill and clinical attachment gain. Bearing in mind that the biochemical sample is obtained in a standardized fashion using filter paper strips at a constant subgingival depth, it is possible that a different concentration of GF existed beneath the CM that was inaccessible to paper strips during sampling, and that such masked release might have built the grounds for the statistically significant gain in hard tissue fill for the L-PRF + CM group.

One limitation that might have affected the clinical outcomes was the gender variation among the groups. Reviewing the literature, there is a lack in evidence for the influence of gender on the amount of radiographic bone fill following regenerative therapy [31, 32].

On the molecular level, gender differences raise a question for the possible structural and physiologic differences in L-PRF harvests between the groups. The literature demonstrates that the fewer erythrocytic count in female and older patients were associated with larger size PRF membranes. The same study hypothesized that larger membranes might be associated with higher density of cellular elements and signaling molecules [33].

The results of the present study contrasts the possible influence of gender type on the release profile of PDGF and VEGF. This conclusion should be carefully interpreted since we only evaluated two GF. All patients were prescribed Ibuprofen following surgical intervention for the management of pain and inflammation. Therefore, it was considered the drug pharmacodynamics and their possible influence on the secretory profile of GF. Under inflammatory conditions, one study demonstrated statistically significant reduction in endothelial cell viability and proliferation as well as an increase in VEGF production following the administration of Ibuprofen [34].

Within the limitations of this study, the present data seem to support the effectiveness of using GTR membranes in association with L-PRF for improving the intrabony defect fill. On a bio-molecular level, periodontal defect ecology failed to maintain any L-PRF claimed extra physiologic concentration of growth factors (PDGF and VEGF) even following collagen barrier membrane protection. Future studies with larger sample size as well as testing other subtypes of PRF are recommended.