Ability of Fourteen Chemical Agents Used in Dental Practice to Induce Chromosome Aberrations in Syrian Hamster Embryo Cells

Abstract

Abstract. To assess the genotoxicity of 14 chemical agents used in dental practice, the ability of these agents to induce chromosome aberrations was examined using Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. Statistically significant increases in the frequencies of chromosome aberrations were induced in SHE cells treated with 7 of 10 chemical agents used as endodontic medicaments, that is, carbol camphor, m-cresol, eugenol, guaiacol, zinc oxide, hydrogen peroxide, and formaldehyde. The other 3 chemical agents, that is, thymol, glutaraldehyde, and iodoform, did not increase the levels of chromosome aberrations. Of the 4 chemical agents that are used as an antiseptic on the oral mucosa, chromosome aberrations were induced by iodine, but not by the other 3 antiseptics, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chlorhexidine. Among the 6 chemical agents exhibiting a negative response in the assay, only thymol induced chromosome aberrations in the presence of exogenous metabolic activation. Our results indicate that chemical agents having a positive response in the present study are potentially genotoxic to mammalian cells and need to be studied further in detail.

Effects of high-dose major components in oral disinfectants on the cell cycle and apoptosis in primary human gingival fibroblasts in vitro

“…Many oral disinfectants are used in dental clinics and povidone iodine (PVD-I), benzethonium chloride (BEC), and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) are commonly the major components of oral disinfectants [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . PVD-I is a major component of Isodine ® gargle, which contains 7% PVD-I as an active ingredient and other additives, such as ethanol, menthol, methyl salicylate, glycerin, sodium saccharin, disodium phosphate, citric acid, eucalyptus oil, and thymol.…”

“…Many different oral disinfectants have been used to treat teeth and soft tissues in the dental clinic [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . Oral disinfectants consist of a solution with a mix of components.…”

Genotoxicity of Endodontic Materials: A Critical Review

“…26 In another study, Hikiba et al assessed the effect of iodine and iodoform on chromosome aberrations using Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells, and found that iodine induced chromosome aberrations and iodoform induced no genotoxicity. 27 Using the comet assay, Muller et al found no chromosomal damage. 28 In another study, Hedayati et al showed that incubation of lymphocytes with iodine increased micronuclei frequency and induced genotoxicity.…”

The obsolescence of formocresol

“…30 Formaldehyde and m-cresol still show genotoxic effects to mammalian cells in other studies using SHE. 31 It is clear this area needs further study.…”