SILICON AND PLATELET CONCENTRATES IN TISSUE REGENERATION:AN ¿IN VITRO¿ STUDY.

Tissue regeneration is a complex process of healing and tissue growth, which involves different biological elements and strategies, including the use of autologous cells, growth factors and scaffolds. All of these elements are present in platelet concentrates, such as Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF). Moreover, some trace elements play an important role in enhancing cell growth and proliferation and so tissue development and regeneration. Among these, Silicon seems to be beneficial for different organs and tissues, such as: bone and cartilage, brain, skin, nails and hair, cardiovascular system and immune system. For this reason, in the present study we evaluated the in vitro effect of Silicon (in the soluble form of Sodium Orthosilicate) and CGF on three different human cell lines of fibroblasts (NHDF), endothelial cells (HUVEC) and osteoblasts (HOBs). Each cell type, was treated with Sodium Orthosilicate at the final concentration of 0,5 mM and 1 mM, CGF and CGF supplemented with Sodium Orthosilicate, for 72 hours. At the end of the experimental period, the effect of the different treatments, on cell growth, proliferation and metabolic activity was evaluated by performing a simple cell count, using an automated cell counter and by evaluating the expression of the intracellular proliferation marker Ki-67, using FACS. Moreover, the expression of other cell markers and active molecules such as Collagen type I (Col I), Osteopontin (OPN), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), was evaluated, through immunohistochemical analyses on fixed cells. Results obtained showed that the use of CGF in combination with Sodium Orthosilicate stimulates cell growth, proliferation and metabolic activity. Overall, these findings suggest that in vitro treatment with CGF and Sodium Orthosilicate seems to be promised in promoting cell growth and proliferation and so in tissue regeneration.