Methods: PDL cells were cultured for 14 days in a normal glucose medium (1100mg/L of glucose) or in a high glucose medium(4500mg/L of glucose) and a 3-(4,5-dimethylithiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dyphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cellular viability was also performed. In order to evaluate the differentiation of PDL cells to osteoblast-like cells, mineralized nodule formation was induced with supplemented media containing 50 µ¶/µ¢ of ascorbic acid, 10mM of b-glycerophosphate and 100nM of dexamethasone for 21 days.
Results: High glucose significantly inhibited the proliferation of PDL cells and reduced the optical density of the MTT assay. Concerning the mineralized nodule formation, the percentage of the calcified area to the total culture dish of PDL cells in high glucose medium was significantly lower than that in the normal glucose medium.
Conclusions: High glucose inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of PDL cells. The data provide an explanation for the delayed periodontal regeneration and healing in diabetic patients.