['To examine the effects of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1), and Ca(OH)2/TGF-beta 1 coadministration on TGF-beta 1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis by early (subculture 1) and late (subculture 5) osteoblast cultures.', 'Early and late cultures were established using bone cells harvested from 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria. Cell cultures of both early and late osteoblasts were divided into four groups: group 1, control; group 2, cells challenged with Ca(OH)2; group 3, cells challenged with TGF-beta 1; and group 4, cells challenged with Ca(OH)2 and TGF-beta 1 in combination. TGF-beta 1 and IL-6 levels for all groups were determined using ELISA methodology.', 'ANOVA and Tukey HS analyses revealed that osteoblasts of groups 3 and 4 significantly increased (P < 0.001) TGF-beta 1 synthesis in both early and late cultures of osteoblasts. IL-6 was not detected in any of the groups considered in this study.'] Is tGF-beta 1 alone and in combination with calcium hydroxide synergistic to TGF-beta 1 production by osteoblasts in vitro?