Biological evaluation of solutions from bioglass, bioglass modified with cobalt, and calcium hydroxide

TL;DR

The study compared bioglass and calcium hydroxide solutions for dental use, finding bioglass to be less toxic and more biocompatible, though none showed bioactivity.

Contribution

The novel contribution is the evaluation of cobalt-modified bioglass for vital pulp therapy, showing improved biocompatibility over traditional calcium hydroxide.

Findings

F18 and F18-Co solutions at certain dilutions showed cell viability similar to control, unlike Ca(OH)2.

F18-Co at 1:8 and 1:16 dilutions increased cell viability compared to Ca(OH)2 at 48 hours.

No bioactivity was observed in any material in von Kossa and polarized light analysis.

Abstract

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and bioactivity potential of bioglass solutions (F18 and F18 with cobalt; F18-Co) compared to Ca(OH)2 solution, to determine their suitability for use in vital pulp therapy. F18 bioglass was prepared, with a part being doped with cobalt. The solutions were prepared at a 1:10 powder-to-water ratio. L929 fibroblasts viability was assessed (MTT assay; 24 and 48-h). Tubes containing fibrin sponges embedded with either the solutions or saline (control) were prepared (16 tubes/group) and immediately implanted into 16 rats (4 tubes/rat). At 7 and 30 days, the euthanized rat specimens were analyzed for inflammation and bioactivity. The ANOVA with Tukey’s test, or Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn’s test was performed (p < 0.05). Undiluted, 1:2, and 1:4 diluted solutions reduced cell viability at 24-h (p < 0.05). The 1:8 and 1:16 dilutions of F18 and F18-Co exhibited cell viability similar to that of the control (p > 0.05), whereas Ca(OH)2 was cytotoxic (p < 0.05). At 48-h, F18 dilutions (undiluted, 1:2, and 1:4) exhibited similar results to the control (p > 0.05). F18-Co at 1:8 and 1:16 dilutions increased cell viability compared to Ca(OH)2 (p < 0.05) and were similar to the control (p > 0.05). On day 7, moderate-to-severe inflammation (p > 0.05) and thick fibrous capsule were observed. On day 30, mild inflammation was observed in the control and F18-Co groups, moderate inflammation in F18 (p < 0.05), and mild inflammation in Ca(OH)2 (p > 0.05). The fibrous capsule was thin. None of the materials exhibited positive structure in von Kossa and polarized light analysis. The F18 and F18-Co solutions are cyto- and biocompatible; however, no bioactivity was observed.

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