In vitro investigation of the cytotoxic, apoptotic and genotoxic effects of pulp capping materials on L929 mouse fibroblast cells

This study evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic, apoptotic and genotoxic effects of MTA, TheraCal and Dermabond (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) on L929 mouse fibroblast cells. Culture medium was exposed to the materials for 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. Cells were seeded in 96 well plates with 5x10(3) cells/ 100 mu L media per well for M 1 assay, 6 well plates with 2x10(5) cells /2 mL media per well for comet assay,12-well plates with 2x10(5) cells/well for apoptosis assay and cells were exposed to the material eluates. The cell viability, genotoxicity and apoptotic status were evaluated by MIT, comet and apoptosis assays respectively at three different times (24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks). There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between MTA and Dermabond at 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks exposures. However, TheraCal significantly reduced the cell viability at 1-week exposure to 66.70% (p<0.05). TheraCal caused DNA damage at all exposures and there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). According to flow cytometry results, TheraCal at 24-hour and 1-week showed significantly higher cytotoxic effects compared to MTA and Dermabond. No significant differences were detected between MTA and Dermabond. As observed from the current study it can be concluded that MTA and Dermabond are biocompatible capping materials in vital endodontic treatments. Since TheraCal exhibited cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caution should be exercised when it is being used.