Abstract
The RPMI-1640 semisolid medium method was used to study the effects of nicotine on BMP secretion of mouse molar tooth germs in vitro. The molar tooth germs were removed from 16-day old mouse embryos and cultured. In the experimental group, nicotine was added into the RPMI-1640 medium with the final concentration of 10 mg/ml. In the control group, the molar germs were cultured with RPMI-1640 without adding nicotine. After a 4-day culture, tooth germs were fixed and prepared for ABC immunohistochemical staining to detect the appearance of BMP in tooth germs. Weak positive staining of BMP was observed in the tooth germs of experimental group. However, strong staining of BMP was observed in the enamel organ and dental papilla of the control group (p<0.01). The present results suggest that nicotine may play an inhibitory role in MBP secretion of cultured mouse tooth germs.
