Objectives: Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) play a important role in the regeneration of periodontium. One of the ways promoting healing potentials of PDLCs is via the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRPs contain high concentrations of growth fa...
Objectives: Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) play a important role in the regeneration of periodontium. One of the ways promoting healing potentials of PDLCs is via the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRPs contain high concentrations of growth factors and stimulate the repair and regeneration of tissues. In this study, the effects of PRP on the proliferation and the activation of PDLCs and on the release of growth factors from PDLCs were investigated.
Material and methods: PDLCs were isolated from third molars or premolars of healthy young patients, 16-25 years old. Whole blood were obtained from four healthy volunteers, 25-39 years old. And PRPs were prepared using centrifugal separator (PLACONTM, Oscotec Inc., Seoul, Korea) and activated. The platelet concentration of PRP was measured and the amount of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, PDGF-BB, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activated PRPs were added to media and the effect of different concentrations of PRPs on the proliferation and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of PDLCs were investigated. The effect of PRPs on the attachment of PDLCs and on the release of growth factors from PDLCs according to time were evaluated using ELISA. As statistical analyses, Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison test were performed (p < 0.05).
Results: Platelet concentration was 5.14 fold increased in PRP compared to whole blood. Growth factor levels in PRP were measured and mean 273.38ng/ml of PDGF-AB, 47.0ng/ml of PDGF-BB, 168.42ng/ml of TGF-β1 and 510.56pg/ml of VEGF were detected. PDLCs cultured in the media containing 10% or more concentrations of PRPs showed significantly increased cell proliferation and ALP activity compared to control (p < 0.05). PDLCs cultured in the media containing 10% PRP also presented higher cell attachment and increased release of TGF-β1 and VEGF compared to control (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: PRPs could deliver high concentrations of growth factors to defect site directly and indirectly and increased the proliferation, the attachment and the ALP activity of PDLCs. From these results we suggested that PRP could be a useful tool to facilitate periodontal regeneration.