Comparison of various transport media on human periodontal ligament cell viability

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of various solutions to maintain human periodontal ligament cell (PDL) viability in vitro. PDL cells were obtained from extracted third molars and premolars of healthy individuals. These cells were placed into 24-well culture plates containing milk, Save-A-Tooth, Save-A-Tooth supplemented with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF), or Gatorade at a concentration of approximately 80,000/well. Cells left dry served as negative controls, and cells placed in Eagles' Minimal Essential Medium served as positive controls. At 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h, cell viability was evaluated using an MTS assay and an ELISA plate reader to determine optical density. ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests indicated that milk and Save-A-Tooth with PDGF are suitable as transport medium for avulsed teeth and that the addition of PDGF to Save-A-Tooth may enhance its ability to maintain PDL cell viability. They also suggests that Gatorade would be unsuitable as a transport medium.