Combined effect of MTA and Emdogain on human pulp cells

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Emdogain can function synergistically with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in the mineralization of human pulp cells.

Methods: Human pulp cells were obtained from a healthy third molar, and primary culture and subculture of these cells were performed. The cells were seeded in tissue culture plates and incubated in the presence of MTA alone, MTA plus Emdogain, or neither (control group). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was analyzed, and the mRNA expression of mineralization-related proteins was evaluated by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, nodule formation was assessed by performing alizarin red staining.

Results: The ALP activity and mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) increased within 3 days to a greater extent in the group that received the combination treatment than in the group that received the MTA alone. Furthermore, the calcified areas in the cells increased distinctly on treatment with MTA plus Emdogain rather than on treatment with the MTA alone.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that the use of MTA with Emdogain is effective in promoting mineralization and that this combination can potentially be used as an appropriate pulp-capping agent.