Beta-glucan promotes dental pulp healing by enhancing cell proliferation, migration, and mineralization.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Effective dental pulp healing is essential for preserving tooth vitality. Although beta-glucan has shown promise in wound healing in the medical fields, its potential effects on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remain unexplored. This study aimed to assess beta-glucan's effects on HDPC proliferation, migration, collagen synthesis, mineralization, and differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary HDPCs were cultured and assigned into five groups: control, vehicle, and beta-glucan at concentrations of 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/mL. Cell proliferation was quantified using the alamarBlue® assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell migration was assessed at 12 and 24 h via the scratch wound healing assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect integrin beta 1 (CD29) expression during wound healing. Mineralization and differentiation at day 14 were evaluated through alizarin red S staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), measuring Dentin Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Collagen type I (COL1) gene expression. Statistical significance was established at < 0.05.

RESULTS

At 24 and 72 h, all concentrations of beta-glucan significantly induced cell proliferation. In the wound healing assay, beta-glucan improved cell migration and increased the expression of integrin beta 1 after 24 h. Mineralized matrix formation and the expression of IL-10 and COL1 were significantly observed at 14 days. The upregulation of DSPP was detected in groups supplemented with 5 and 7.5 mg/mL beta-glucan.

CONCLUSION

Beta-glucan enhanced cell proliferation, cell migration potential, integrin beta 1 expression, mineralized matrix formation, and DSPP, IL-10, and COL1 gene expression in HDPCs.