title: Effect of Cyclosporin A and Angiotensin II on cytosolic calcium levels in primary human gingival fibroblasts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the effect of Cyclosporin A (CsA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) on cytosolic calcium levels in cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy gingival samples from six volunteers were obtained, and primary HGFs were cultured. Cell viability and proliferation assay were performed to identify the ideal concentrations of CsA and Ang II. Cytosolic calcium levels in cultured gingival fibroblasts treated with CsA and Ang II were studied using colorimetric assay, confocal and fluorescence imaging. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS software and GraphPad Prism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher levels of cytosolic levels were evident in cells treated with CsA and Ang II when compared to control group and was statistically significant (P< 0.05) in both colorimetric assay and confocal imaging. Fluorescent images of the cultured HGFs revealed the same.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus calcium being a key player in major cellular functions, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Ajitkumar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Supraja
authors.affiliation: Centres for Indian Systems of Medicine Quality Assurance and Standardization, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Murugan Girija
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dinesh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Central Research Facility, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Subbarayan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajasekaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Thodur Madapusi
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Suresh Ranga
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Angiotensin II; Cyclosporin A; calcium; gingival overgrowth