The effect of cobalamin and alpha-tocopherol on the growth factors in platelet-rich fibrin: An in-vitro pilot study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cobalamin (vitamin B12) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) supplementation on the levels of growth factors and proinflammatory cytokines in platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) under in vitro conditions. Materials and Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers (6 females, 6 males) without systemic diseases were included in the study. Venous blood samples were divided into three groups: PRF alone (control group), PRF with added vitamin B12, and PRF with added vitamin E. Growth factors [PDGF, TGF-β1, VEGF, IGF-1, FGF-2] and proinflammatory cytokines [IL-1β, TNF-α] were measured at 24 and 72 hours using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The addition of vitamins B12 and E to PRF was found to induce notable changes in growth factor release profiles and cytokine levels, suggesting an enhancement of regenerative capacity. Conclusion: Vitamin B12- and vitamin E-enriched PRF may have the potential to accelerate healing and improve tissue quality in periodontal and oral surgical applications. While these findings support its potential clinical use, further advanced in vivo studies are required to confirm its efficacy. Keywords: Platelet-rich fibrin, vitamin B12, vitamin E, growth factors, cytokines