What are EDTA-K2 and EDTA-K3? The choice of anticoagulant is crucial to prevent blood samples from coagulating during collection and processing, ensuring the adequate preparation and application of PRP.
What is PRP?
These platelets can release various growth factors and cytokines, which help in tissue repair, healing, and regeneration. Thus, practitioners widely use PRP in orthopedics, sports medicine, dentistry, cosmetic dermatology, and other fields.
What are EDTA-K2 and EDTA-K3?
EDTA-K2 :
Is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting by chelating calcium ions in the blood. It has minimal impact on the morphology of blood cells, making it widely used in blood analyses requiring maintaining the integrity of blood cells. Use EDTA-K2 commonly in hematological experiments and the preparation of high-quality PRP.
EDTA-K3 (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Tripotassium Salt):
EDTA-K3 also prevents blood coagulation by chelating calcium ions but has a more substantial anticoagulant effect than EDTA-K2. This stronger anticoagulant effect may be more suitable in certain conditions, such as during long-term transportation or processing of blood samples. However, because it has a more significant impact on blood cell morphology, EDTA-K3 may be less commonly used than EDTA-K2 in applications requiring the maintenance of blood cell integrity.
PRP Preparation Process
- Blood Collection
First, a certain amount of blood is collected from the patient’s vein. The volume of blood collected usually depends on the treatment needs but generally ranges between 10 to 60 milliliters. During blood collection, vacuum blood collection tubes containing EDTA-K2 or EDTA-K3 anticoagulant are used to prevent the blood from coagulating during the collection process.
- Initial Centrifugation
The collected blood is placed in a centrifuge for the first centrifugation. This process is usually conducted at low speed (about 1000 to 2000 rpm) for 5 to 10 minutes. The initial centrifugation aims to separate the blood into a red blood cell layer, a platelet-rich plasma layer (PRP layer), and a white blood cell layer (buffy coat).
- Separation and Extraction
After the initial centrifugation, carefully extract the PRP layer. This layer is between the red blood cell and the plasma layers. To ensure the purity of the extraction, it is important to avoid drawing up the buffy coat and red blood cell layers. Perform this process under sterile conditions to prevent contamination.
- Second Centrifugation
The extracted PRP layer undergoes a second centrifugation. Conduct this centrifugation at a higher speed, typically between 2000 to 3000 rpm, for 5 to 10 minutes. The purpose of the second centrifugation is to concentrate the platelets further and separate them from the plasma, forming platelet-rich plasma.
- Re-Extraction
After the second centrifugation, separate the platelet-rich sediment from the upper layer of excess plasma. To achieve a high PRP concentration, retain only a small amount of plasma and mix it with the platelet sediment. Conduct this process under sterile conditions.
- Application
Use the prepared PRP immediately or store it under appropriate conditions until needed. In clinical applications, apply PRP directly to damaged tissues, joints, or skin areas via injection to promote healing and regeneration.
Application of EDTA-K2 in PRP Tubes
Anticoagulant Effect:
EDTA-K2 prevents blood coagulation by chelating calcium ions, effectively inhibiting the coagulation process. This characteristic makes it a commonly used anticoagulant in handling blood samples.
Role of Anticoagulant in PRP Preparation:
EDTA-K2 helps maintain the blood sample in a liquid state in the PRP preparation process, which is crucial for subsequent centrifugation and separation steps. The platelets and plasma in the blood sample can be effectively separated by centrifugation to prepare high-quality PRP.
Advantages:
- Mild Anticoagulation: EDTA-K2 has minimal impact on the morphology of blood cells, helping maintain platelets’ activity and function. This is particularly important for applications requiring high-quality PRP, such as skin regeneration and hair loss treatment.
- Commonly Used in Blood Analysis: Due to its mild anticoagulant effect, EDTA-K2 is often used in experiments requiring the preservation of blood cell morphology, ensuring that platelets and other blood cells are not damaged during analysis.
Application of EDTA-K3 in PRP Tubes
Anticoagulant Effect
EDTA-K3 also prevents blood coagulation by chelating calcium ions, but its anticoagulant effect is stronger than that of EDTA-K2. This strong anticoagulant characteristic may be more suitable in certain situations.
Role of Anticoagulant in PRP Preparation
This is crucial for some specific operational processes and application scenarios.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Strong Anticoagulation: EDTA-K3 can maintain the anticoagulant state of blood for longer, which may be more suitable for certain experimental processes requiring extended processing times.
- Impact on Blood Cell Morphology: Due to its stronger anticoagulant effect, EDTA-K3 may significantly impact the morphology and function of blood cells.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Anticoagulant
Experimental Requirements
The choice between EDTA-K2 and EDTA-K3 in preparing PRP depends on the specific experimental requirements. EDTA-K2, due to its minimal impact on blood cell morphology, is commonly used for high-quality PRP preparation that requires the preservation of platelet activity and morphology. However, in situations requiring stronger anticoagulation, EDTA-K3 may be more suitable.
Sample Processing Time
If the blood sample requires long-term processing or transportation, the strong anticoagulant effect of EDTA-K3 can ensure that the sample remains in a liquid state for longer, preventing coagulation. However, for applications requiring quick processing and high-quality PRP, EDTA-K2 may be more appropriate.
Application Cases
Medical Field
In orthopedics and sports medicine, PRP is often used to treat arthritis, tendinitis, and soft tissue injuries. PRP prepared with EDTA-K2 can provide high-quality platelets to promote tissue repair and regeneration.
Cosmetic Field
In cosmetic dermatology, practitioners widely use PRP for skin regeneration and hair loss treatment. Due to EDTA-K2’s ability to maintain platelet activity, it is often used in these treatments requiring high-quality PRP.
EDTA-K2 and EDTA-K3 are commonly used anticoagulants in PRP tubes, each with its characteristics. Selecting the appropriate anticoagulant based on specific experimental requirements and application scenarios can optimize the preparation of PRP and ensure its best performance in the medical and cosmetic fields.