EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM EXPOSURE OF HUMAN PERIODONTAL-LIGAMENT CELLS TO MILK AND OTHER SOLUTIONS

Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells cultured from healthy extracted human teeth were exposed to milk, Alcon Opti-Free contact lens solution, K- Mart contact lens solution, saline, and Hank's balanced salt solution, The appearance and rate of loss of the cells from the culture dishes were recorded over time at both room temperature (20 degrees C) and 4 degrees C. The results indicated that saline was superior to either of the contact lens solutions in its ability to maintain the vitality of the PDL cells, Milk at 4 degrees C provided good short-term viability , but cells did not remain attached after 48 h. At 20 degrees C, howev er, milk resulted in a 24.4% retention of cells after 72 h, Hank's bal anced salt solution was the best storage media, with 46.8% of cells re maining attached after 72 h of exposure, This study supports milk as a good short-term storage medium for maintaining the vitality of PDL ce lls in vitro.