The effect of dentin matrix proteins on differentiation of autologous guinea pig dental pulp stem cells

Backround: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of dentin matrix proteins on the differentiation of guinea pig dental pulp stem cells to regenerate Dentin Bridge. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on six adult male guinea pigs. Pig incisor teeth were divided into two groups: the first group was induced by calcium hydroxide as a control group and the second group was induced by matrix protein induction as a case group. After 1 and 3 days, the samples of both groups were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to examine the presence of odontoblast-like cells, the severity of inflammation, and the type and amount of dentin which was made, microscopically and for counting stem cells in the dentin site. Immunohistochemistry staining method was done. Results: In the case group, the amount of reconstituted dentin, the presence of stem cells and odontoblastic differentiation were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05) and the type of regenerated dentin potentially was of higher quality, although it was not statistically significant (P = 0.924). However, the amount of regenerated dentin (P = 0.001), the presence of pulp stem cells (P = 0.001) and the increased quality of regenerated dentin (P = 0.001) in both groups on the 1st and 3rd days were significantly different. Conclusion: The results showed that dentin matrix proteins were more effective on stem cell migration, odontoblastic differentiation, amount and quality of restorative dentin than the control group, but did not significantly; probably because low sample size.