Analysis of immune cells and proinflammatory substances as biocompatibility markers of dental sealers

Abstract

A variety of studies have demonstrated that root canal sealers induce mild to severe inflammatory reactions. Several factors participate in this immune response. Analysis of these factors can be indicative of biocompatibility.ObjectiveIn this study immune cells and proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines are analyzed in response to dental sealers of different composition.MethodsAfter Apexit (calcium hydroxide based), Portland or MTA were implanted in the dorsal dermis of BALB/c mice, histopathological and immunocytochemical studies were performed to analyze the presence of a) Macrophages and CD8 lymphocytes, b) Cells producing proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1beta, IL‐6, and TNF‐alpha), and c) Cells producing proinflammatory chemokines (CCL5 and CCL20).ResultsAll treated materials produced a mild inflammatory reaction. Apexit was the most biocompatible, with results similar to controls, except for 12 hours post‐implantation, when significative more IL‐6 and CCL20 immunoreactive cells were observed (p<0.05). Macrophages, CCL20 and IL‐6 were in higher amounts in mice implanted with MTA in comparison than Portland (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe calcium hydroxide based dental sealer showed better in situ biocompatibility than calcium silicate oxide sealers.