Objective: Our previous studies revealed that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) accelerates periodontal regeneration without ankylosis and root resorption and enhances the production of hyaluronan (HA), which is one of crucial extracellular matrices in initial wound healing process, by periodontal ligament cells in vitro. These results suggest that HA may play a role in periodontal regeneration by FGF-2. In this study, we examined the effect of topically applied HA on periodontal wound healing. Methods: We first prepared surgically-created alveolar bony defects (mesio-distal 1mm x vertical depth 1mm) with a round bur at mesio-palatal sites of maxillary first molars in Wister male rats. Sodium HA (Opegan HighTM; Seikagaku Co., Tokyo, Japan) was applied at the bony defects of right side. On the contrary, saline alone was applied at the left side as a control. After 12 days of HA application, maxilla tissues section was created and stained by Hematoxiline-Eosin and Azan. Results: We histologically observed new alveolar bone formation in the HA applied sites. Interestingly, it was observed that the great numbers of osteoblasts were aggregated around the newly-formed bone tissue in HA applied sites. On the contrary, infiltrated inflammatory cells and osteoclasts were observed in the any control sites. Conclusions: These findings suggest that toppical application of HA in alveolar bony defects accelerates periodontal wound healing. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Nos.1230751 and 13307059).

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