OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of bioactive glasses (BG) including 45S5 and nano-58S on proliferation, angiogenic markers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) secretion and gene expression of human dental pulp cells (HDPC).

METHODSHDPC of 4th passage were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) which contained 0.1 g/L 45S5 or nano-58S ionic dissolution products. Meanwhile HDPC were cultured in DMEM without BG as control group. Proliferation of the cells was evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay on day 1, 2, 3. Quantitative real-time PCR and quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassays were used to test VEGF and bFGF gene expression and protein secretion of HDPC on day 1, 2, 3.

RESULTSThe relative growth rate (RGR) of 45S5 and nano-58S groups were (134.5 ± 5.0)% and (146.3 ± 19.8)%, which was significantly different from that of control group (P < 0.05). The quantity of VEGF secretion of two experimental groups were (189.29 ± 4.64) and (216.18 ± 14.67) ng/L, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group [(159.03 ± 11.69) ng/L] (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the nano-58S group secreted much more VEGF than 45S5 group (P < 0.05).bFGF secretion of HDPC was also enhanced by both 45S5 and nano-58S bioactive glasses. The VEGF gene expression of 45S5 and nano-58S on day 1 were (1.70 ± 0.19) and (1.63 ± 0.42), while the bFGF gene expressin on day 3 were (1.49 ± 0.02) and (2.30 ± 0.04), all significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBioactive glasses can enhance the proliferation, VEGF and bFGF secretion and gene expression of human dental pulp cells. Compared with 45S5, nano-58S showed a higher activation.