Effects of calcium hydroxide and tumor growth factor-beta on collagen synthesis in subcultures I and V of osteoblasts

Collagen protein synthesis by osteoblasts is influenced by transforming gro wth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) and is essential to bone formation. The effect iveness of TGF-beta 1 depends on efficient delivery of the growth factor to target cells, adequate binding to cell surface receptors, and an optimum e nvironment for promotion of collagen synthesis. The effects of calcium hydr oxide (Ca(OH)(2)), TGF-beta 1, and Ca(OH)(2)/TGF-beta 1 co-administration o n total protein, collagen protein, and noncollagen protein synthesis by ear ly (subculture I) and late (subculture V) osteoblast cultures were tested. TGF-beta 1 significantly increased all protein synthesis in subculture I os teoblasts (p = 0.001; p < 0.001; p 0.019), Ca(OH)(2)/TGF-beta 1 cc-administ ration significantly increased total protein and collagen protein levels in subculture I osteoblasts as well (p = 0.048; p = 0.012), TGF-beta 1 increa sed total protein and collagen protein synthesis significantly in subcultur e V cells (p = 0.025; p = 0.01), These data indicate that co-administration of Ca(OH), and TGF-beta 1 enhances collagen synthesis by osteoblasts and m ay have implications for the clinical setting.