Effect of heat treatment on bioactivities of enamel matrix derivatives in human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells.

OBJECTIVES: It has been shown that Emdogain (EMD) containing enamel matrix derivative has cementum- and osteo-promotive activities in vivo and in vitro. Nevertheless, the commercial sale of EMD was halted because it has some possible risk for infectiosity. At present, Emdogain Gel (Emd-Gel) containing the EMD heated to avoid the infectiosity is commercially available. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro bioactivities of Emd-Gel and EMD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells were used to study the effect of Emd-Gel and EMD on cell differentiation. The HPDL cells exposed to Emd-Gel and EMD were evaluated for the following effects: (i) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; (ii) mitogenic (MTT) assay; (iii) biomineralization activity; (iv) gene expressions using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effect of EMD with or without heat treatment was examined for ALP activity on the cell differentiation.

RESULTS: The effect of Emd-Gel on ALP activity was greater than that of EMD. It was confirmed from the effect of EMD with heat treatment at 60 degrees C, 80 degrees C and 100 degrees C on the ALP activity. The effect of Emd-Gel on the biomineralization activity was also greater than that of the EMD. The Emd-Gel has a stronger effect for the expression of osteoblast-like phenotype than the EMD.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the Emd-Gel has greater bioactivities than the EMD in vitro.