Expression of the Inflammatory Marker Cyclooxygenase-2 in Dental Pulp Cells Cultured with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate or Calcium Silicate Cements

Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium silicate (CS) cements exhibit acceptable physical and chemical properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of MTA and CS cements on inflammatory reactions in primary cultured human dental pulp cells. Methods: The mitochondrial colorimetric assay was used to evaluate pulp cell survival rates. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used to observe focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) distributions in the cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to assess COX-2 expression. Results: The results showed that MTA and CS are biocompatible with pulp cells (P > .05). FAK was well-distributed in pulp cells in contact with both cements. Both MTA and CS cements induced pulp cell inflammation as evidenced by increased COX-2 expression. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that MTA and CS cements are biocompatible with primary cultured pulp cells. Both cements can induce inflammatory COX-2 expression in the pulp cells. (J Endod 2010;36:465-468)