Aim: To investigate the cytotoxicity of bioaggregate (BA; Innovative Bioceramix, Vancouver, BC, Canada) to human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and its effect on differentiation of human PDL fibroblasts and to compare its performance to that of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Dentsply, Tulsa, OK, USA).
Methodology: Cytotoxicity was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on days 1, 2, and 3 after incubation with BA or MTA. The influence of BA and MTA on differentiation of human PDL fibroblasts on days 3, 5, and 7 was evaluated by gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type I (COLI) via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test.
Results: Cell numbers in the BA group were similar to that of the control group throughout the culture period, whereas MTA suppressed the proliferation of fibroblasts. ALP expression was significantly increased in the BA group on day 7, whilst it was enhanced by MTA on day 3. Gene expression of COLI was induced by both BA and MTA compared to the control group.
Conclusions: Bioaggregate was nontoxic to human PDL fibroblasts and appeared to induce the differentiation of human PDL fibroblasts.
© 2010 International Endodontic Journal.