Inflammatory and bone regulators expression in murine macrophages under exposure of commercial and experimental mineral trioxide aggregate.

BACKGROUND: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been used in a variety of surgical and non-surgical endodontic applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression and protein production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as the gene expression of RANKL and OPG using both commercial and experimental MTA in macrophage cell cultures.

METHODS: Peritoneal macrophage cell culture was performed. Viability, gene expression of cytokines, RANKL and OPG, and protein levels in experimental- and commercial-grey MTA co-cultured with peritoneal macrophages was determined by tryptan blue, real time PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS: The expression of TNF-α for both commercial and experimental MTA was higher, while the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was similar when compared to the negative control. At protein expression level, no differences were observed between the negative control and cements. RANKL did not show a significant improvement in gene expression when compared with the negative control, but OPG expression in cement samples was higher when compared to the negative control.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that commercial and experimental MTA promotes anti-inflammatory processes, as well as bone healing capacity.