Autologous platelet gel (APG)

Autologous platelet gel (APG) is a bioactive material derived from a patient's own blood, created by concentrating platelets into platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and then activating them with thrombin and calcium to form a fibrin scaffold (StatPearls, 2023). This gel serves as a delivery system for a high concentration of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are released from the alpha-granules of the platelets (PubMed, PMID: 15509455). These factors play critical roles in the natural healing cascade by promoting cell proliferation, chemotaxis, and angiogenesis (NIH, 2021). APG is primarily used in clinical settings to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, and to enhance tissue repair in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeries (Journal of Wound Care, 2018). Because it is autologous, the risk of immunogenic reactions or transmission of blood-borne diseases is virtually eliminated. However, it is considered a therapeutic product or treatment modality rather than a specific molecular target, as it contains a complex mixture of proteins and cells that act on various cellular receptors simultaneously.

Other names

Platelet-rich plasma gelPRP gelAutologous platelet-rich plasma gelAutologous platelet concentrate gelPlatelet-leukocyte gel

Release of high concentrations of growth factors (PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, EGF) and cytokines from platelet alpha-granules upon activation, which stimulate cellular pathways for repair and provide a fibrin scaffold for cell migration.