Effects of l-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium salt on the properties of human gingival fibroblasts

Background and objective: L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium salt (APM) is an L-ascorbic acid (AsA) derivative developed to improve AsA stability and display effective biochemical characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the effects of APM on the functions and properties of human gingival fibroblasts with respect to the prevention of periodontal disease in comparison with those of AsA.

Material and methods: Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated in the presence or absence of APM or L-ascorbic acid sodium salt (AsANa). Intracellular AsA was analysed by HPLC. Collagen synthesis was measured by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) were quantified using a fluorescence reagent, and cell damage was estimated with calcein acetoxymethyl ester. Furthermore, intracellular ROS induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified, and expression of TNF-α-induced interleukin-8 expression, which increases due to inflammatory reactions, was measured by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR.

Results: APM remarkably and continuously enhanced intracellular AsA and promoted type 1 collagen synthesis and mRNA expression. Furthermore, APM decreased cell damage through the suppression of H(2)O(2)-induced intracellular ROS and inhibited interleukin-8 production through the suppression of TNF-α-induced intracellular ROS. These effects of APM were superior to those of AsANa.

Conclusion: These results suggest that APM is more effective than AsANa in terms of intake, collagen synthesis, decreasing cell damage and inhibiting interleukin-8 expression in human gingival fibroblasts. This suggests that local application of APM can help to prevent periodontal disease.