Objective: To evaluate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on proliferation of periodontal fibroblast-like cells in vivo.
Methods: A U-shaped osseous defect was produced on the buccal side of the mesial root. Four posterior teeth were conducted in four quadrants. Each quadrant included 4 groups: control, bFGF, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE) membrane, bFGF + ePTFE. Each time the 4 teeth sites in one quadrant were operated weekly and each dog experienced 4 times of operations. Bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) was injected 1 hour prior to sacrificing the dogs at 4 weeks after first surgery. Immunohistochemical method was applied to count the BrdU-labeled fibroblast-like cells.
Results: The number of BrdU-labeled cells reached the maximum at the 2nd week among all groups and then, decreased with time. Both bFGF and bFGF + ePTFE treated group had significantly more BrdU+ cells than remained control or ePTFE groups (P < 0.05) at 1st, 2nd weeks after surgery.
Conclusion: 2 weeks after periodontal surgery is active phase of proliferation of periodontal fibroblasts. bFGF enhances fibroblast proliferation in early periodontal wound healing, and in turn accelerate periodontal regeneration.