Oxidative Stress, Pro-Inflammatory Response, Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induced by Contemporary Endodontic Sealers in Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts

TL;DR

This study compares how different dental sealers affect human periodontal cells, finding some cause more inflammation and protein damage than others.

Contribution

The study provides a comparative analysis of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cytotoxicity of eight modern endodontic sealers in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Findings

Calcium silicate-based sealers showed better redox profiles and less protein oxidation compared to calcium hydroxide-based sealers.

EndoSeal MTA and AH Plus increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release, while BioRoot TM showed the lowest cytokine expression.

All sealers induced minimal apoptosis, with TotalFill BC maintaining high cell viability.

Abstract

The biological compatibility of endodontic sealers is a key determinant of periapical tissue healing. This in vitro study investigated the cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory, and redox-related effects of eight endodontic sealers on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPdLFs): Biopulp (Chema-Elektromet), AH Plus (Dentsply Sirona), MTA Fillapex (Angelus), EndoSeal MTA (Maruchi), GuttaFlow (Coltène), AH Plus Bioceramic (Dentsply Sirona), TotalFill BC (FKG Dentaire SA), and BioRoot TM (Septodont). Cells were exposed for 24 h to 10-fold-diluted sealer extracts prepared in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions, while control samples underwent identical procedures without sealer contact. Oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant defense parameters, protein oxidation indices, apoptotic activity (caspase-3), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6), and cell viability (MTT assay) were assessed. Under the applied conditions, all materials induced only limited global oxidative stress, with most alterations reflecting selective protein and glycoxidative modifications. Nevertheless, AH Plus, MTA Fillapex, and the calcium hydroxide-based Biopulp exhibited a less favorable redox profile and greater protein oxidation compared with calcium silicate-based sealers. AH Plus and EndoSeal MTA were associated with increased IL-6 release, whereas EndoSeal MTA moderately elevated IL-1 levels. BioRoot TM demonstrated the lowest cytokine expression, and TotalFill BC preserved high cell viability. Caspase-3 activity remained comparable across all experimental groups, indicating minimal induction of apoptosis.

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