iloprost and Dental-Pulp-Exposure

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a biomolecule capable of enhancing angiogenesis and cellular proliferation.. We investigated the influence of a PGI2 analogue (iloprost) on dental pulp revascularization in vitro and in vivo by using human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and a rat tooth injury model, respectively. Iloprost stimulated the human dental pulp cell mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in a significant dose-dependent manner. This mRNA up-regulation was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a PGI2 receptor antagonist and forskolin (a protein kinase A activator). In contrast, a protein kinase A inhibitor significantly enhanced the iloprost-induced mRNA expression of VEGF, FGF-2, and PDGF. Pretreatment with a fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor attenuated the VEGF, FGF-2, and PDGF mRNA expression, indicating opposing regulatory mechanisms.. The effect of iloprost on the dental pulp was investigated in vivo by using a rat molar pulp injury model. The iloprost-treated group exhibited a significant increase in pulpal blood flow at 72 hours compared with control.. The present study indicates that iloprost may be a candidate agent to promote neovascularization in dental pulp tissue, suggesting the potential clinical use of iloprost in vital pulp therapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Exposure; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Humans; Iloprost; Molar; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Rats; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; Regional Blood Flow; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Young Adult

Prostacyclin (PGI2), a member of the prostaglandin family, can promote angiogenesis and cell proliferation.. In this study, the effect of the application of a PGI2 analog (iloprost) on dentin repair was examined in vitro and in vivo.. Iloprost significantly stimulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and osteo-/odontogenic marker messenger RNA in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) under osteoinductive conditions in vitro. In addition, iloprost enhanced HDPC alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity and mineral deposition. An in vivo study was performed using a rat molar mechanical pulp exposure model. After 30 days, histologic analysis revealed that there was a dramatic tertiary dentin formation in the iloprost-treated group compared with the calcium hydroxide and the untreated control groups. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression in dental pulp tissue was increased in the iloprost-treated group as determined by immunohistochemical staining.. Taken together, the present study, for the first time, shows that iloprost induces the expression of osteo-/odontogenic markers in vitro and promotes angiogenic factor expression and enhances tertiary dentin formation in vivo. This implies the potential clinical usefulness of iloprost in vital pulp therapy.

Topics: Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Angiogenic Proteins; Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; Calcification, Physiologic; Calcium Hydroxide; Cells, Cultured; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Exposure; Dentin, Secondary; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Iloprost; Male; Odontogenesis; Osteogenesis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Transcription Factors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A