Abstract
Gingival overgrowth occurs in patients receiving nifedipine. Gingival inflammation may be an etiologic factor. Gingival fibroblasts were either exposed to (i) 0-500 ng/ml TNF-alpha or 10(-7) M nifedipine or (ii) 0-500 ng/ml TNF-alpha + 10(-7) M nifedipine for 7 days. 3H-proline was used to quantify collagenous protein synthesis. Both TNF-alpha and 10(-7) M nifedipine significantly decreased cell proliferation, and 10(-7) M nifedipine + 500 ng/ml TNF-alpha reversed these effects. Collagenous protein synthesis was significantly reduced by TNF-alpha and was significantly enhanced by either 10(-7) M nifedipine or 5-500 ng/ml TNF-alpha + 10(-7) M nifedipine. Our data report that nifedipine reverses the primary effects of TNF-alpha on collagenous protein synthesis. Patients with gingivitis could be susceptible to gingival overgrowth during nifedipine therapy as a result of synergistic effects of these agents on fibroblast metabolism, which occurs irrespective of reduced cell numbers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
