Objective: To study the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on the proliferation of dental pulp cell.
Methods: The 4th generation dental pulp cell cultured in vitro was used as target cell. 1- 200 microg/L hepatocyte growth factor was added in the test group while the pure cell culture DMEM as control. The MTT method and flowcytometry were applied to assay the proliferation and cell cycle of dental pulp cell of different groups.
Results: 1-200 microg/L hepatocyte growth factor showed promoting effect to the proliferation of pulp cell since the 5th day (P < 0.05). 100 microg/L was found to be the optimal concentration. Also on the 5th day, 100 microg/L hepatocyte growth factor decreased the G1 subcycle and increased the S subcycle of dental pulp cell ( P < 0.05). While on the 3rd day, it had no effect on the cell cycle.
Conclusion: Hepatocyte growth factor had positive effect on the proliferation of dental pulp cell, with 100 microg/L as the optimal concentration.