Ozonated Water Improves Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Responses of an Odontoblast-like Cell Line

Abstract

Introduction It is important to develop an antimicrobial agent without any damage on dental pulp. In the present study, we examined whether pretreatment of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with ozonated water (O 3aq) improves LPS-induced responses of rat odontoblastic cell line, KN-3. Methods After the pretreatment of LPS with O 3aq, effects of LPS and O 3aq-treated LPS on cell viability; calcification ability; expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); and activation of p38 of KN-3 cells were examined. Results The formation of mineralized nodules by KN-3 cells was suppressed by LPS, whereas that suppression was inhibited by the pretreatment of LPS with ozonated water. We also found that LPS-induced expression of COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α and p38 activation were markedly suppressed when LPS was pretreated with ozonated water. Furthermore, expression of COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α by LPS were mainly induced through p38 activation. Conclusion These results suggest that odontoblastic cells exhibit inflammatory responses against LPS and that ozonated water has the ability to improve LPS-induced inflammatory responses and suppression of odontoblastic properties of KN-3 cells through direct inhibition of LPS.