title: Transplantation of dental pulp stem cells and platelet-rich plasma for pulp regeneration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The loss of dental pulp may weaken teeth, rendering them susceptible to reinfection, fracture, and subsequent tooth loss. Therefore, regeneration of pulp is considered an ideal treatment to preserve teeth. The aim of this study was to explore the capacity of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to regenerate dental pulp in canine mature permanent teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pulpectomy with apical foramen enlarged to a #80 file was performed in 16 upper premolars of 4 beagle dogs. Four experimental groups were randomly established: (1) the blood clot group, (2) the autologous DPSCs group, (3) the PRP group, and (4) the DP + PRP group (a mixture of DPSCs and PRP). Four lower premolars without any further treatment after pulpectomy were used as the control group. All teeth were sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate and composite. Twelve weeks after transplantation, the teeth were subjected to radiographic and histologic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four of 32 experimental root canals gained newly formed tissues. All canals with an introduction of a blood clot showed histologic evidence of vital tissue formation. Cementum-like and periodontal ligament-like tissues along the internal root canal walls were typical structures in most cases. There is no significant difference between groups with or without autologous DPSC transplantation (exact chi-square test, P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New vital tissues can be regenerated in permanent canine teeth after pulpectomy and enlargement of the apical foramen. Histologically, transplantation of DPSCs and/or PRP into root canals showed no enhancement in new tissue formation compared with inducement of a blood clot into the root canals alone.
authors.affiliation: Special Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Chengfei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: George T-J
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Gary S P
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Waruna Lakmal
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Dissanayaka
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001769:Blood; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025021:Cementogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000473:pathology; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000473:pathology; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000502:physiology*; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000379:methods; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D011897:Random Allocation; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003188:Composite Resins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; C443708:P60 Condensible Resin Composite; D019279:Resin Cements; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate