Saudi Dental Journal

Periodontium regeneration is a highly challenging process as it requires the regeneration of three different tissues simultaneously. The aim of this study was to develop a composite material that can be easily applied and can sufficiently deliver essential growth factors and progenitor cells for periodontal tissue regeneration.Freeze-dried platelet concentrate (FDPC) was prepared and incorporated in a thermo-sensitive chitosan/b-glycerol phosphate (b-GP) hydrogel at concentrations of 5, 10, or 15 mg/ml. The viscos-ity of the hydrogels was investigated as the temperature rises from 25 C to 37 C and the release kinetics of transforming growth factor (TGF-b1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) were investigated at four time points (1 h, 1 day, 1 week,2 weeks). Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were isolated from human third molars and encapsulated in the different hydrogel groups. Their viability was investigated after 7 days in culture in comparison to standard culture conditions and non FDPC-loaded hydrogel.Results showed that loading FDPC in the hydrogel lowered the initial viscosity in comparison to the unloaded control group and did not affect the sol-gel transition in any group. All FDPC-loaded hydrogel groups exhibited sustained release of TGF-b1 and PDGF-BB for two weeks with signif- icant difference between the different concentrations. The loading of 10 and 15 mg/ml of FDPC in the hydrogel increased the PDLSCs viability significantly compared to the unloaded hydrogel and was comparable to the standard culture conditions