Osteoblast biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate

This study investigated the biocompatibility of variants of mineral trioxid e aggregate (MTA), by culturing human MG63 osteosarcoma cells in the presen ce of materials, observing cytomorphology and cell growth, and then assayin g cytokine expression from the cells. Reference materials were employed. Ce ll growth was quantified by preparing samples (n = 6) at 2, 4 and 7 days, f or viewing by scanning electron microscopy and then scoring the amount of m aterial that was covered by healthy cells. Subsequently, samples of culture media were tested using ELISA assays for expression of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11 and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). These assays were compared with controls where no material was present, and where media and fetal calf serum had not been exposed to cells. Results sh owed good cell growth on MTA. Expression of IL-6 from cells was only eviden t in the presence of MTA and Interpore 200. Interleukin-8 was expressed in high concentrations only in the presence of MTA. There was no evidence of e xpression of IL-1 alpha: or IL-11 with any material. Production of M-CSF wa s high for all materials. It appears that the variants of MTA are biocompat ible and suitable for use in clinical trials. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.