Evaluation of vitamin D supplementation in osteogenic differentiation potential of diabetic and non-diabetic dental pulp stem cells

AIM . The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of vitamin D supplementation on the osteogenic differentiation potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS . The experimental study was conducted using oral mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from adult dental pulp extirpated from extracted permanent premolar and third molar teeth of healthy patients and diabetic patients. Pulp tissue was extirpated, sectioned, and cultured in T25 flasks with Minimum essential medium-Alpha (MEM- α), fetal bovine serum (FBS) and antibiotic-antimycotic reagents. Stem cells were isolated, characterized via flow cytometry for specific markers, and subjected to tri-lineage differentiation which was confirmed through staining reagents such as Alizarin Red for osteogenesis, Safranin O for chondrogenesis, and Oil Red O for adipogenesis. Subsequently, influence of Vitamin D3 on the DPSCs viability was assessed employing MTT assays across varying concentrations. RESULTS . Findings of the present study show that Vitamin D3 plays a significant role in enhancing osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Diabetic groups showed poor ability for bone regeneration as compared to the control group, with considerable disparity regarding biomechanical properties as well as decreased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subsequently, the study highlighted the significance of optimal vitamin D levels aiding in bone regeneration. CONCLUSIONS . Vitamin D supplementation has shown to have a positive effect on the osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs, especially under diabetic conditions. The outcomes of this study infer the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in bone regeneration.