Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes healing of surgically created periodontal defects in rats with early, streptozotocin-induced diabetes via increasing cell proliferation and regulating angiogenesis
(Journal of Clinical Periodontology; doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12324)
Takahiro Bizenjima, Fumi Seshima, Yoichi Ishizuka, Takahiro Takeuchi, Takashi Kinumatsu, Atsushi Saito
Diabetes can impair healing after tissue injury. Researchers tested whether fibroblast growth factor-2, a protein that influences cell growth, could help repair experimentally created defects around teeth.
Fifty male rats were assigned to diabetic or non-diabetic groups. Each animal had surgically created periodontal defects treated with the growth factor on one side and the carrier alone on the other. Healing was examined after two and four weeks.
The growth factor increased new bone volume and thickness and increased the number of dividing cells. Some blood-vessel markers suggested more mature vessels. However, new cementum—the tissue covering the root where supporting fibres attach—was largely absent in diabetic animals. The treatment therefore did not achieve complete periodontal regeneration.
The study is encouraging for understanding repair, but it does not show that this approach restores all lost tooth support in people with diabetes. Surgical defects and recently induced diabetes differ from long-standing human periodontitis. A benefit in bone formation is only one part of rebuilding the tissues around a tooth. Clinical decisions would require human evidence about the relevant treatment, patient group and long-term outcomes, beyond these short animal experiments.
Animal and laboratory studies allow researchers to investigate processes that cannot easily be tested in people. However, experimentally induced diabetes or gum damage does not reproduce every aspect of human disease. The timing, exposure and biological responses may differ substantially. A promising effect in this setting needs further testing for both benefit and harm before it can inform patient treatment. This paper therefore helps explain a possible mechanism; it does not establish an effective human treatment or a safe dose of an experimental substance.
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Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
