OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on inducing mineralization of human gingival fibroblasts (GF), periodontal ligament cells (PDLC) and alveolar bone osteoblasts (AOB).

METHODSHuman whole blood from healthy subjects was collected and PRP was obtained after twice centrifuged. GF, PDLC and AOB established from tissue explants were used at 4th passage in culture. All cells were seeded at density of 4 x 10(7)/L at 6 well tissue culture plate and cultured at standard condition for 96 hours, and then the different media was used. In the experimental group, the cells continued to be cultured in 50 ml/L PRP in DMEM media with mineral solution (10 mmol/L beta-glycerophosphate, 0.2 mmol/L freshly prepared ascorbic acid, 10 nmol/L dexamethasone), in the control group, the cells to be cultured in DMEM media with mineral solution, and in the blank group DMEM media was used. The media was changed every other day until day 30, the cells were dyed with von Kossa. Pictures were taken and analyzed by the image analysis software to semiquantitate the proportion of the positive area of von Kossa dye and attenuation aera of AOB.

RESULTSIn PDLC and AOB, the quantity of mineralization nodule in the experimental group and the control group was more than that in the blank group (P < 0.05), and there were more mineralization nodules in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while the amount of mineralization nodules in GF was low in the three groups (P > 0.05). Attenuation of AOB in the experimental group was less than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPRP can enhance the quantity of mineralization in PDLC and AOB in vitro and reduce attenuation in AOB, which suggests that PRP may be helpful to periodontal alveolar bone mineralization and regeneration.