The effects of a mineral trioxide aggregate‐based sealer on the production of reactive oxygen species, nitrogen species and cytokines by two macrophage subtypes

Aim To test the effects of a mineral trioxide aggregate‐based sealer ( MTA Fillapex ® ) and MTA ( MTA ‐Ângelus ® ) on viability and on the production of cytokines, reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and nitrogen species ( NO ) by M 1 and M 2 inflammatory macrophages. Methodology M1 (from C57 BL /6 mice) and M 2 (from BALB /c mice) peritoneal inflammatory macrophages were obtained and cultured in vitro in the presence of original and diluted extracts of MTA and MTA Fillapex ( FLPX ). The cell viability, ROS release and the release of tumour necrosis factor‐a, interleukin ( IL )‐12, IL ‐10 and NO in response to stimulation with interferon‐γ and Fusobacterium nucleatum or Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were evaluated. The data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney test and Student's t ‐test. Results Fillapex was cytotoxic at the highest concentrations (1 : 1;1 : 2) and decreased the viability ( P  < 0.05) of both macrophage types (<20%). MTA did not interfere with cellular viability. FLPX inhibited the release of ROS and decreased NO release in F. nucleatum and P. anaerobius ‐stimulated M 1 and M 2 macrophages (≤25 μ mol L –1 ). F. nucleatum– stimulated M 2 macrophage cultures released lower levels of TNF‐α when FLPX was added (≤1 ng mL −1 ). M 2 macrophages released higher (>5 ng mL −1 ) levels of IL ‐10 than M 1 macrophages. Only M 1 macrophage cultures produced IL ‐12p70. Conclusions Fillapex impaired effector immune responses during inflammation ( M 1 macrophages), as well as during healing ( M 2 macrophages) responses.