Effect of Synthetic Hydroxyapatite on Apoptosis of Human Fibroblasts

Indonesia is very rich of natural resources, including gypsum. Chemically, gypsum can be synthesized into hydroxyapatite by means of (NH4)XPO4 and fabricated by sintering technology. Recently, hydroxyapatite has been increasingly developed as bone substitute in dentistry and medical field as well. Ideally, biomaterials should not be toxic or induce cell death. The process of cell death can be apoptosis or necrosis. Apoptosis is a major form of programmed cell death, which is characterized initially by a series of morphological changes. Objective: The present study was designed to examine the effect of synthetic hydroxyapatite from local gypsum on apoptosis of human fibroblasts in vitro. Methods: Human fibroblasts were cultured and divided into control and treatment groups. The treatment group was treated with commercialized hydroxyapatite (Waco, Japan) or synthetic hydroxyapatite from local gypsum at various concentrations. After 24 and 48 hours exposure time, apoptotic alterations were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Collected data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA). Result: The effect of synthesized hydroxyapatite was not significant on the apoptosis of cultured human fibroblasts (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Synthetic hydroxyapatite has not the capacity to induce apoptosis in human fibroblasts.