Thaweboon, SroisiriChunhabundit, PanjitSurarit, RudeeSwasdison, SompornSuppukpatana, Prapan2009-05-272009-05-272002-09-16Thaweboon S, Chunhabundit P, Surarit R, Swasdison S, Suppukpatana P. Effects of lead on the proliferation, protein production, and osteocalcin secretion of human dental pulp cells in vitro. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 2002 Sep; 33(3): 654-61http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/34127The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.Teeth have been recognized as providing a useful long-term record of lead (Pb2+) uptake. However, information regarding the effects of lead on dental pulp tissue cells that foster dentinogenesis is scarce. This study investigated the effects of lead on dental pulp tissue using human dental pulp fibroblasts in vitro. Dental pulp cells from the teeth of young patients (aged 17-24 years) were cultured and subsequently treated with lead glutamate. It was shown that, in serum-free conditions, all the tested concentrations of lead (4.5 x 10(-5) M, 4.5 x 10(-6) M, and 4.5 x 10(-7) M) significantly increased pulpal cell proliferation. In the presence of 2% fetal bovine serum, increasing cell proliferation was observed only after exposure to a lead concentration of 4.5 x 10(-5) M. However, protein, procollagen type I, and osteocalcin productions were significantly decreased. The alteration of cell population and protein production of affected human dental pulp shown in this study are toxic effects of the lead.engAdolescentAdultAnalysis of VarianceCell Division --drug effectsCells, CulturedCollagen Type I --drug effectsDental Pulp --cytologyDose-Response Relationship, DrugFibroblasts --drug effectsHumansLead --toxicityLead Poisoning --diagnosisOsteocalcin --drug effectsProtein BiosynthesisProteins --drug effectsIn Vitro