Mineral trioxide aggregate (
MTA) would influence healing of
periapical tissues by modulating the
production of
growth factors and
cytokines from PDL
fibroblasts, however, the studies are insufficient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to monitor the expression of
transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF- beta1),
fibroblast growth factor-2 (
FGF-2), and
interleukin-6 (
IL-6) from PDL
fibroblasts in the presence of
MTA. The
human PDL
fibroblasts were seeded onto the set
MTA or IRM at a level of 1 x 10(5)
cells per unit well, and further incubated for 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The levels of
TGF-beta1,
FGF-2, and
IL-6 from the supernatant were measured by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (
ELISA). The data were analyzed using one-way
ANOVA. The level of
TGF-beta1 was down-regulated when the
cells were grown in the presence of
MTA except at 6 hours. The levels of
FGF-2 release were significantly suppressed when PDL
fibroblasts were grown in the presence of
MTA or IRM at all
time intervals (p < 0.05). The expressions of
IL-6 from
MTA treated
cells were comparable to those of untreated control
cells throughout the
observation periods. We presume that this material inhibits the stimulatory function of
growth factors on
granulation tissue formation and in turn, it promotes the healing process modulated by other
bone-
remodeling cells.