Evaluation of genetic damage in human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to mineral trioxide aggregate and Portland cements

Abstract

summary Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement are being used in dentistry as root-end-filling material for periapical surgery and for the sealing of communications between the root canal system and the surrounding tissues. However, genotoxicity tests for complete risk assessment of these compounds have not been conducted up to now. In the present study, the genotoxic effects of MTA and Portland cements were evaluated in peripheral lymphocytes from 10 volunteers by the alkaline single cell gel (comet) assay. The results pointed out that the single cell gel (comet) assay failed to detect the presence of DNA damage after a treatment of peripheral lymphocytes by MTA and Portland cements for concentrations up to 1000 mug mL(-1). In summary, our results indicate that exposure to MTA or Portland cements may not be a factor that increases the level of DNA lesions in human peripheral lymphocytes as detected by single cell gel (comet) assay.

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium enriched mixture cements on L929 mouse fibroblast cells

“…Therefore, and taking into account the lack of data currently available, the assessment of the potential genotoxicity of CEM is justified. In addition, it has been reported in previous studies that MTA has no cytotoxic 7,31,32) and no genotoxic 15,20,33,34) effects in vitro. For these reasons, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of CEM compared with MTA.…”

“…The studies of Ribeiro and coworkers have demonstrated that the single-cell gel (comet) assay is one of the suitable tools to investigate the genotoxicity of compounds used in dental practice [17][18][19] . Previous studies have demonstrated that MTA, whether gray or white, cannot induce geno-or cytotoxicity in mouse lymphoma or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, even after exposure to human peripheral lymphocytes ex vivo 20,21) . Taking into consideration that fibroblasts are in direct contact with MTA or CEM over extended periods of time 2) , it would be interesting to know whether, and to what extent, these two materials can exert geno-and/ or cytotoxic effects in fibroblasts.…”

“…Animal systems may more accurately reflect human metabolism; however, they are expensive and time-consuming (requiring up to 3 years to complete); they are, therefore, not used as a first screen for genotoxicity or carcinogenicity. Thanks to the work of previous investigators, the single-cell, gel (comet) assay has been accepted as a rapid, simple, and reliable method of evaluating the genotoxicity of materials [15][16][17][18][19][20] . The basic principle of this assay is the migration of DNA fragments in an agarose matrix under electrophoresis.…”

“…The basic principle of this assay is the migration of DNA fragments in an agarose matrix under electrophoresis. When viewed under a microscope, cells have the appearance of a comet, with a head (the nuclear region) and a tail containing DNA fragments or strands migrating toward the anode 20) . The studies of Ribeiro and coworkers have demonstrated that the single-cell gel (comet) assay is one of the suitable tools to investigate the genotoxicity of compounds used in dental practice [17][18][19] .…”

Genotoxicity of Endodontic Materials: A Critical Review

“…41 Braz et al assessed the genotoxic effects of MTA in lymphocytes and failed to detect DNA damage. 42 Camargo et al revealed that…”