The Effect of α‐Tocopherol and Selenium on Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts In Vitro

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of α‐tocopherol and selenium on gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) in terms of proliferation, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) release, collagen type I synthesis, and wound healing. Methods: Primary cultures of human GFs and PDLFs were isolated. Four test groups and a control group free of medication was formed. In group E, 60 μM α‐tocopherol was used, and in groups ES1, ES2, and ES3, the combination of 60 μM α‐tocopherol with 5 × 10−9 M, 10 × 10−9 M, and 50 × 10−9 M selenium was used, respectively. Viability, proliferation, bFGF, and collagen type I synthesis from both cell types were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and healing was compared on a new wound‐healing model at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours. Results: α‐Tocopherol alone significantly increased the healing rate of PDLFs at 12 hours and increased bFGF and collagen type I release from GFs and PDLFs at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The α‐tocopherol/selenium combination significantly enhanced the proliferation rate of both cells at 48 hours, decreased the proliferation of PDLFs at 72 hours, and increased the healing rate of GFs at 12 hours and PDLFs at 12 and 48 hours. bFGF and collagen type I synthesis was also increased in both cell types at 24, 48, and 72 hours by α‐tocopherol/selenium combination. Conclusion: α‐Tocopherol and α‐tocopherol/selenium combination is able to accelerate the proliferation rate and wound‐healing process and increase the synthesis of bFGF and collagen type I from both GFs and PDLFs.