Protein synthesis in vitro, in the presence of Ca(OH)2‐containing pulp‐capping medicaments

Abstract

Four Ca(OH)₂-containing pulp-capping medicaments were compared for their effects on protein synthesis in early subcultures of monkey- and human-pulpal fibroblasts. While protein synthesis, as well as DNA synthesis, was depressed by three of the medicaments, the protein-synthetic rate in human-cell cultures in the presence of Life® rose to control levels when the medium was changed daily, but was depressed when the medium was not changed. This suggests that serum proteins play a protective role for pulpal tissues under inflammatory conditions, at least in the case of Life®, allowing odontoblasts to differentiate and make dentinal matrix without interference of either toxic components or excess alkalinity.