Traditional chemo-mechanical retraction/displacement materials can impact the gingival margin tissues. This study was undertaken to analyze biological responses induced in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) upon application of injectable astringent-based agents used in the cordless retraction technique. HGFs were exposed to hemostatic agents (five gels, three pastes, and one foam) based on aluminium chloride, aluminium sulphate and ferric sulphate. Changes in cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using an MTT assay and a BrdU assay. The cytoskeleton structure organization (zyxin and F-actin) was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Oxidative stress was determined using the Griess Reagent System. The RNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. The statistical significance was evaluated using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD test. The evaluated agents did not downregulate fibroblast viability or proliferation. No significant cytoskeleton reorganization was observed. Only one agent (Expasyl) induced oxidative stress, demonstrated by the increased level of nitrites. Incubation with the studied agents significantly increased the RNA expression of some antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD3, GPX1). However, no significant influence on the expression of SOD2 and HMOX1 was detected. The injectable forms of chemical retraction agents revealed biocompatibility with HGFs, suggesting their potential clinical usefulness in gingival margin retraction.
Keywords: biocompatibility; chemical gingival margin retraction/displacement agents; cytoskeleton; cytotoxicity; human gingival fibroblasts; oxidative stress.