Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Root Canal Sealers Using an In Vitro Experimental Model with Roots

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of root canal sealers under conditions closely resembling a clinical reality. A primary human fibroblast cell line was seeded in 24-well acrylic plates with Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium supplemented with 10% serum fetal bovine (SFB) and incubated for 24 h. Root canals from premolars were filled and individually attached to nylon devices to be stabilized in the wells with the already seeded cells. Specimens were divided into groups as follows: Control: gutta-percha cones (GPC); AH Plus+GPC; Sealapex+GPC; MTA Fillapex+GPC and Endofill+GPC. After 24 and 48 h, cell viability and morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney test, complemented by Kruskal Wallis test (p<0.05). Only Endofill presented cytotoxicity after 24 h. MTA Fillapex and Endofill reduced the production of succinic desidrogenase after 48 h. AH Plus was non-toxic at any time point. SEM showed that the AH Plus and MTA Fillapex groups presented fibroblasts with morphology close to the control group, while the Endofill group presented few cells with thin extensions cells. The present study showed that good results were present in AH Plus and Sealapex, but not the Endofill group after 48 h. The method used enabled evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the studied sealers that diffused through the root apex.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade dos cimentos dos canais radiculares em condições próximas à realidade clinica. Uma linhagem primária de fibrolastos humanos foi semeada em placas acrílicas de 24-poços com meio de cultura Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium suplementado com 10% de soro fetal bovino e incubados por 24 h. Os canais radiculares de pré-molares foram obturados e individualmente adaptados aos dispositivos de nylon para serem estabilizados nos poços com as células já semeadas. Amostras foram dividas de acordo com os grupos: Controle: cones de gutta-percha (CGP); AH Plus+CGP; Sealapex+CGP; MTA Fillapex+CGP e Endofill+CGP. Após 24 e 48 h, a viabilidade e a morfologia celular foram avaliadas pelo ensaio de MTT e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), respectivamente. Análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo teste de Mann-Whitney, complementadas por Kruskal Wallis (p<0,05). Apenas o Endofill apresentou citotoxicidade após 24 h. MTA Fillapex e Endofill reduziram a produção da enzima desidrogenase succinica após 48 h. AH Plus não apresentou toxicidade em nenhum momento. MEV mostrou que os grupos AH Plus e o MTA Fillapex apresentaram fibroblastos com morfologia próxima ao grupo controle, enquanto que o grupo do Endofill apresentou poucas células com finos prolongamentos. O presente estudo demonstrou que resultados satisfatórios foram apresentados nos grupos AH Plus e Sealapex, mas não para o Endofill após 48 h. O método utilizado permitiu avaliar a citotoxicidade dos cimentos que se difundem pelo ápice radicular.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of Ca3SiO5-based cement

Abstract Ca3SiO5 is new cement based on the composition of Portland that has been developed to have superior physicochemical and biological properties. In a clinical evaluation, the cement did not appear to have cytotoxic properties and allowed for the proliferation of pulp cells and gingival fibroblasts. However, no previous studies have evaluated the genotoxicity or the mutagenicity of Ca3SiO5in vivo. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of Ca3SiO5-based cement in vivo. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 8). Group A rats received subcutaneous implantation of Ca3SiO5 in the dorsum. Group B rats received a single dose of cyclophosphamide (positive control). Group C rats received subcutaneous implantation of empty tubes in the dorsum (negative control). After 24 hours, all animals were euthanized and the bone marrow of the femurs was collected for use in the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The comet assay revealed that the Ca3SiO5 group had a tail intensity of 23.57 ± 7.70%, the cyclophosphamide group had a tail intensity of 27.43 ± 7.40%, and the negative control group had a tail intensity of 24.75 ± 5.55%. The average number of micronuclei was 6.25 (standard deviation, SD = 3.53) in the Ca3SiO5 group, 9.75 (SD = 2.49) in the cyclophosphamide group, and 0.75 (SD = 1.03) in the negative control group. There was an increase in the micronuclei frequency in the Ca3SiO5 group compared to that of the negative control group (p < 0.05). Our data showed that exposure to the Ca3SiO5-based cement resulted in an increase in the frequency of micronuclei, but no genotoxicity was detected according to the comet assay.