Comparative analysis of viability, proliferation, and mineralization potential of human pulp and osteoblastic cells exposed to different bioceramic endodontic sealers

Abstract

Background

The present study aimed to compare the viability, proliferation, and mineralization potential of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) and osteoblasts cell line (Saos-2) after exposure to AH Plus® Bioceramic (AHP-B), Bio-C® Sealer (BIO-C), NeoMTA Plus® (NEOMTA-P), and MTA-FILLAPEX® endodontic sealers (MTA-F).

Methods

All materials were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Before exposing the cells, we measured the release of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) from the dental materials to the culture media once Ca²⁺ can trigger signaling pathways. After that, hDPCs and Saos-2 were exposed to the sealers for MTT assay to assess the cell viability and wound healing to evaluate the cell proliferation. To investigate the potential of mineralization, we assessed the alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition by Alizarin red staining. Statistical analysis was performed using Two-way ANOVA for calcium release and wound healing assays and One-way ANOVA for other assays, with post-test Bonferroni correction. The results were significant when p < 0.05.

Results

The sealers released diverse concentrations of calcium at different times. The hDPCs viability and proliferation were low in the AHP-B group at 24h of exposure (NEOMTA-P ∼ BIO-C ∼ CT > AHP-B > MTA-F), distinct from the osteoblastic cells (NEOMTA-P ∼ AHP-B ∼ CT > BIO-C > MTA-F) and (proliferation: AHP-B > NEOMTA-P ∼ CT > BIO-C > MTA-F). The ALP activity, an early marker of osteogenesis, was higher in hDPCs exposed to NEOMTA-P, while the osteoblastic cells showed higher ALP when exposed to AHP-B.

Conclusion

AHP-B, NEOMTA-P, and BIO-C stimulated osteogenesis in hDPCs and Saos-2 cells, with marked differences between groups. AHP-B showed an improved early stimulation of osteoblastic cells, while hDPCs were more responsive to NEOMTA-P.