The effects of hydraulic calcium silicate containing endodontic materials on oxidative stress in erythrocytes and liver

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydraulic calcium silicate endodontic cements, MTA Angelus, MTA Fillapex, and Theracal LC, on erythrocyte and liver oxidative stress parameters of rats. Methods Right upper incisor of each rat was extracted and polyethylene tubes containing the dental cements, or left empty for the control group, were inserted into the extraction socket. Blood and liver samples of each animal were obtained after 7, 30, or 60 days. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined by spectrophotometry. Results Erythrocyte and liver TBARS levels, and CAT and SOD enzymatic activities were significantly increased in dental cement applied groups compared with controls on day 7. The highest erythrocyte and liver TBARS concentrations were observed in the MTA Angelus group on day 7 of exposure. On day 30, erythrocyte CAT activity remained markedly high, but the other parameters returned to almost normal levels. On day 60, all parameters were similar between the control and the experimental groups. Conclusions This is the first study to show that TBARS levels and antioxidant enzyme activities are transiently increased as a result of dental cement application.