Obtaining PRP Activation Products in India
In India, PRP activation can be achieved using calcium chloride, autologous thrombin, a combination of both, or collagen type I, with the choice depending on the specific clinical application and desired release kinetics of growth factors. 1
PRP Activation Methods Available in India
- Calcium chloride (10%) is widely available and induces a progressive release of growth factors from 15 minutes up to 24 hours 2
- Autologous thrombin (10%) causes immediate release of growth factors that remains stable over time 2
- Combination of calcium chloride and thrombin (10%) provides both immediate and sustained release of growth factors 2
- Collagen type I (10%) activation is suitable when no clot formation is desired, though it produces lower overall growth factor release 2
PRP Preparation Protocol for Indian Practitioners
- Collect blood using plastic tubes with appropriate anticoagulants such as trisodium citrate, ACD, or CPD (never use EDTA as it causes platelet swelling and premature activation) 1, 3
- Process blood at room temperature as soon as possible, preferably within 1 hour of collection 1
- For standard PRP preparation in India, the IADVL taskforce recommends a double-spin manual method 4:
- Target platelet concentration should be 1-1.5 million platelets/μL for dermatological applications in India 4
Activation Considerations for Indian Clinical Settings
- PRP must be activated for platelets to release their α-granule contents, except when injected into soft tissues 4
- The resulting clot provides a scaffold to capture secreted proteins and maintain their presence at the application site 3
- In some applications, collagen-rich tissues may activate PRP naturally, eliminating the need for pre-application activation 1, 3
- Freshly prepared PRP should be used within 4-6 hours for optimal results 1, 3
Sourcing PRP Activation Products in India
- Calcium chloride (10%) solution can be purchased from pharmaceutical suppliers or prepared in hospital pharmacies 1
- Autologous thrombin can be prepared from the patient's own blood by adding calcium to platelet-poor plasma 1
- Commercial PRP kits with activation components are available from medical device suppliers in major Indian cities 3
- Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (I-PRF) is a cost-effective alternative that requires minimal instrumentation and materials, making it particularly suitable for the Indian healthcare context 5
Important Considerations for Indian Practitioners
- PRP preparations vary widely in content, purity, and biological properties, which impacts clinical efficacy 1, 3
- Document the activation procedure used, as this is considered an appropriate practice by expert consensus 1
- The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) notes that clinical preparations of PRP are poorly standardized, which is a significant concern for practitioners in India and globally 6
- Avoid storing PRP at 4°C as cold activation might occur prematurely 1