The Effect Of Strontium On The Function Of Human Gingival Fibroblasts In The Presence Of Simulated Smoking Environment

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have reported the negative effect of smoking on wound healing and dental implant success rate. Thus, a need for modifying the titanium implant surface to enhance soft tissue function including the viability and migration of gingival fibroblasts in the presence of a smoking environment is critical. Strontium has been suggested as one possible strategy to enhance wound healing due to the positive effect on gingival fibroblasts, thereby increasing implant success rate. Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of strontium on human gingival fibroblast viability and migration in the presence of cigarette smoke condensate and nicotine. Methods: Effect of the direct application of 1mM strontium on human gingival fibroblast viability with the presence of (250 or 25 μg/ml) cigarette smoke condensate or (250 or 25 μg/ml) nicotine was measured by MTT assay and compared to control group. The ability of strontium to enhance human gingival fibroblast migration in the presence of (25 μg/ml) cigarette smoke condensate or (25 μg/ml) nicotine was also assessed using a scratch test assay. Results: Strontium was able to statistically enhance human gingival fibroblast viability in the presence of 250 and 25 μg/ml nicotine or 25 μg/ml cigarette smoke condensate with an increased trend with 250 μg/ml cigarette smoke condensate. Regarding cell migration, enhanced but nonsignificant human gingival fibroblast migration was observed when strontium is added to both cigarette smoke condensate or nicotine groups. Conclusion: The administration of strontium citrate was able to improve human gingival fibroblast viability and in vitro wound healing ability in the presence of a simulated cigarette smoking environment to varying degrees, suggesting potential to improve cellular function around dental implants in compromised environments.