THE EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN ON OSTEOCALCIN PRODUCTION BY HUMAN PERIODONTAL-LIGAMENT CELLS

The purpose was to investigate the effects of oestradiol on the functi on of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells by measuring the production of osteocalcin in vitro. Cells were obtained from the healthy periodontal ligament of teeth extracted from two males and two females for orthod ontic reasons. Serum-free medium was used when testing the effects of oestradiol on PDL cells. The amount of osteocalcin in the culture medi um was analysed by two-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay in the presenc e or absence of oestradiol. It was shown that oestradiol enhanced the production of osteocalcin by PDL cells in a time-and dose-dependent ma nner. PDL cells obtained from both male and female donors were affecte d by oestradiol. It thus appears that oestradiol is one of the factors important for PDL cells to express their function. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.