Efficacy of Photobiomodulation and Vitamin D on Odontogenic Activity of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

Introduction: The regeneration of dental pulp tissue using human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Recent studies have suggested that several factors such as photobiomodulation (PBM) and vitamin D affect the proliferation and differentiation of HDPSCs. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effects of PBM and vitamin D on odontogenic differentiation of HDPSCs for dentin -like tissue formation. Methods: HDPSCs were collected, isolated, and characterized and then divided into six groups: group I, control; group II, vitamin D (10-7 Mol); group III, irradiation at 1 J/cm2 of 810 nm diode laser; group IV, irradiation at 1 J/cm2 and culture with vitamin D; group V, irradiation at 2 J/cm2, and group VI, irradiation at 2 J/cm2 and culture with vitamin D, cell viability assay was measured through MTT. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) were also assessed. Results: PBM at 1 and 2 J/cm2 combined with vitamin D significantly promoted HDPSCs proliferation through MTT assay and odontogenic differentiation through gene expression of VEGF, BMP-2, and DSPP levels (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: PBM at 2 J/cm2 combined with vitamin D enhanced the HDPSCs proliferation and odontogenic differentiation and thus could be a novel strategy for dentin regeneration in dentistry.

Fetuin-A levels in obesity: differences in relation to metabolic syndrome and correlation with clinical and laboratory variables.

INTRODUCTION: Fetuin-A is an important player in the enhancement of insulin resistance. There are very limited data available concerning the relationships between fetuin-A, weight status and features of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) in obese Egyptian subjects, and especially in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate fetuin-A serum level in subjects with obesity and its possible association with other laboratory and clinical variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 obese subjects and 50 controls aged 10-40 years were recruited. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical features were collected according to a standard protocol. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured using ELISA and the modified Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATP III) criteria were adopted to diagnose Met S. RESULTS: A higher level of serum fetuin-A was detected in obese subjects. Met S cases were also significantly associated with higher serum fetuin-A. Fetuin-A correlated significantly with BMI (r = 0.437), systolic (r = 0.228) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.295), waist circumference (r = 0.332), insulin resistance calculated by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.295) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.362). CONCLUSIONS: Fetuin-A levels were higher in adults and children with obesity and Met S. They were related to insulin resistance and to features of the Met S in cross-sectional analyses. Our study demonstrates a novel association between human fetuin-A and the Met S among obese subject. Therefore, fetuin-A might be a new promising link between obesity and its comorbidities.