1997 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 26-35
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes dermal wound healing, bone fracture healing, and angiogenesis in vivo. However, the effects of bFGF local administration on the periodontal ligaments after experimental tooth movement remain to be fully elucidated. The present study was carreid out to determine the effects of bFGF on the periodontal ligaments from the viewpoint of cell kinetics. Wistar strain male rats were used, and tooth movements were performed under ether anesthesia according to the technique of Waldo. Orthodontic elastics were inserted between both the upper lst and 2nd nlolars for 3,7, and l4 days. Each animal in the experimental group (n=15) was injected with a single dose of bFGF (10μg/50μℓ) into the palatal submucosa of the interradicular septa of both Ist molars 0,4,7, and 11 days from the beginning of the tooth movement. Saline solution was administered to the control group (n=15). A dose of 74 kBq/g of 3H-proline was injected interperitoneally into the animals of both groups 20 minutes before sacrifice. After the experiments, paraffin sections of the specimens were examined histomorphometrically by means of a silver stain (which reacted with the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) -associated protein) and an autoradiographic technique. These results suggested that bFGF enhanced the cell proliferative activity and collagen synthetic activity of periodontal ligament predominantly on the tension side. Consequently, bFGF seems to be valuable for retention following tooth movement.
