Analysis of gene expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) following photodynamic therapy in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: Periodontal diseases are pathological inflammatory conditions of multifactorial etiology that develops in response to periodontopathic bacteria. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has begun to be incorporated as an adjuvant treatment for periodontal diseases. However, the effect of PDT on tissue regeneration is not yet completely clear. This study aimed to analyze the gene expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) following PDT in human gingival fibroblasts (HuGu) cells in vitro.

Materials And Methods: HuGu cells were treated in different groups: 1) ICG (Indocyanine green) alone, 2) Diode laser irradiation alone, 3) PDT (combined ICG with diode laser) and 4) Control (untreated cells). The expression of bFGF gene was evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in different groups.

Results: ICG-PDT treatment using 1000-2000μg/mL of ICG at fluency of 31.25J/cm displayed a significant dose-dependent increase in expression levels of the bFGF (all P<0.05). The expressions of bFGF were upregulated to 4.13-fold following diode laser irradiation alone with a fluency of 31.25J/cm (P<0.05) while there was no remarkable difference in expression of bFGF following ICG treatment at concentrations of 500-2000μg/mL (all P>0.05).

Conclusion: Our results suggest PDT is effective in increasing the expression of bFGF gene, an important factor in periodontal tissue regeneration and could indicate periodontal tissue regeneration.