Determination of trace elements in kidneys, livers and brains of rats with sealer implants by ICP-MS

Abstract

ABSTRACTFollowing root canal treatment, sealers may contact periapical tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic toxic effects of epoxy resin-based sealers (AH Plus and Obtuseal). Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure levels of trace elements (beryllium, magnesium, aluminium, calcium, chromium, arsenic and lead) in the brain, kidney and liver of rats. Twenty sterilized polyethylene tubes were then filled with AH Plus and Obtuseal and implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of 10 rats; three unoperated animals were used as a control group. After 45 days, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation following anaesthesia, and brains, kidneys and livers were removed from all experimental animals. ICP-MS analysis was used to determine levels of trace elements. Data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Connover post hoc tests. No significant differences were found in aluminium and calcium levels, but brains, kidneys and livers showed significantly higher amounts of magnesium and chromium than the corresponding controls. In the kidney and liver samples, arsenic levels were found to be higher than in the control group. Lead was detected at higher levels only in liver samples from the AH Plus group. Beryllium was not detected in any organ. It was concluded that AH Plus and Obtuseal release minimal quantities of trace elements when in contact with subcutaneous tissue, and further studies are needed to understand the systemic effects of these materials.