title: Iloprost induces tertiary dentin formation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prostacyclin (PGI2), a member of the prostaglandin family, can promote angiogenesis and cell proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the effect of the application of a PGI2 analog (iloprost) on dentin repair was examined in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Iloprost significantly stimulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and osteo-/odontogenic marker messenger RNA in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) under osteoinductive conditions in vitro. In addition, iloprost enhanced HDPC alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity and mineral deposition. An in vivo study was performed using a rat molar mechanical pulp exposure model. After 30 days, histologic analysis revealed that there was a dramatic tertiary dentin formation in the iloprost-treated group compared with the calcium hydroxide and the untreated control groups. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression in dental pulp tissue was increased in the iloprost-treated group as determined by immunohistochemical staining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, the present study, for the first time, shows that iloprost induces the expression of osteo-/odontogenic markers in vitro and promotes angiogenic factor expression and enhances tertiary dentin formation in vivo. This implies the potential clinical usefulness of iloprost in vital pulp therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand; Mineralized Tissue Research Unit, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: nchalida@chula.ac.th.
authors.forename: Chalida Nakalekha
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Limjeerajarus
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thichaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chanarattanubol
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Panruethai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trongkij
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Mirantee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rujiwanichkul
authors.affiliation: Mineralized Tissue Research Unit, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn, University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Prasit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pavasant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000187:drug effects; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000187:drug effects; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000187:drug effects; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000188:drug therapy; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D016285:Iloprost / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000187:drug effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D014157:Transcription Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D016285:Iloprost; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide
keywords: Dental pulp; Prostacyclin; pulpal blood flow; tertiary dentin