Abstract
BACKGROUND: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is widely used for regeneration therapy in dental clinical situations, but the mechanism of EMD bioactivity remains obscure. To clarify this mechanism, we focused on the formation of connective tissue and blood vessels. The aim of this study was to confirm whether EMD induces the formation of connective tissue and blood vessels by using the diffusion chamber (DC) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individual DCs containing EMD (DC-EMD) or propylene glycol alginate (PGA) were implanted subcutaneously in rat dorsum. At 4 weeks after the implantation, histological analysis of DCs was performed using azan staining. RESULTS: DC-EMD induced the formation of much larger amounts of connective tissue containing abundant blood vessels than did DC-PGA. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that EMD can induce the formation of both connective tissue and blood vessels. This bioactivity may contribute to the mechanism whereby EMD induces tissue regeneration.