Chitosan Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes Pulp Cell Proliferation with a Minimum Effect on Fluoride and Aluminum Release

Chanothai Hengtrakool; Supreya Wanichpakorn; Ureporn Kedjarune-Leggat

doi:10.3390/polym15173511

Chitosan Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes Pulp Cell Proliferation with a Minimum Effect on Fluoride and Aluminum Release

Polymers (Basel). 2023 Aug 23;15(17):3511. doi: 10.3390/polym15173511.

Authors

Chanothai Hengtrakool¹, Supreya Wanichpakorn^{2

3}, Ureporn Kedjarune-Leggat^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
² Department of Oral Biology and Occlusion, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
³ Cell Biology and Biomaterials Research Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

Abstract

The development of biomaterials that are able to control the release of bioactive molecules is a challenging task for regenerative dentistry. This study aimed to enhance resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) for the release of epidermal growth factor (EGF). This RMGIC was formulated from RMGIC powder supplemented with 15% (w/w) chitosan at a molecular weight of either 62 or 545 kDa with 5% bovine serum albumin mixed with the same liquid component as the Vitrebond. EGF was added while mixing. ELISA was used to determine EGF release from the specimen immersed in phosphate-buffered saline at 1 h, 3 h, 24 h, 3 d, 1 wk, 2 wks, and 3 wks. Fluoride and aluminum release at 1, 3, 5, and 7 d was measured by electrode and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Pulp cell viability was examined through MTT assays and the counting of cell numbers using a Coulter counter. The RMGIC with 65 kDa chitosan is able to prolong the release of EGF for significantly longer than RMGIC for at least 3 wks due to its retained bioactivity in promoting pulp cell proliferation. This modified RMGIC can prolong the release of fluoride, with a small amount of aluminum also released for a limited time. This biomaterial could be useful in regenerating pulp-dentin complexes.

Keywords: EGF; aluminum; chitosan; chitosan resin-modified glass ionomer cement; fluoride.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Prince of Songkla University grant number. DEN 511990007S and grant number DEN 540020S-1-2. It was also funded by the Cell Biology and Biomaterial Research Unit.