Fig. 1

Quantification of platelets, thrombin and growth factors. a Platelet concentrations in PRP were significantly increased compared to whole blood (P < 10^{− 4}). b The growth factors PDGF-AB, TGF-β1 and EGF in present PRP were quantified using commercialized ELISA kits. Concentrations of PDGF-AB and TGF-β1 were compared to reported baseline levels in the study of Betsch et al. (superscript a), [35] and the concentration of EGF was compared to the reported baseline levels in the study of Gomez-Caro et al. (superscript b). [36] c Based on protocol 1, the fibrin clot was pressed to form a PRF membrane. The concentrations of thrombin in the PRF membrane and exudate were quantified using commercialized ELISA kits