Root canal sealers cause cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in hepatocytes

Elutable substances and degradation products from root canal sealers may gain access to periodontal tissue in many ways. The aim of this study was to investigate damage and oxidative stress caused by treatment with root canal sealers in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Four root canal sealers were used: Canals, Sealapex, AH 26, and AH Plus. Toxicity was detected by assessing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and oxidative stress was determined by analysis of glutathione (GSH) levels. One-way analysis of variance was performed on the data. As the concentrations of sealer were increased, LDH leakage increased (p < 0.01). Increased GSH depletion accompanied LDH leakage increase. GSH levels were reduced to zero at a concentration of 0.05% for Canals and 0.10% for AH 26. These results confirmed the hypothesis that root canal sealers can cause cytotoxicity in hepatocytes. The Canals and AH 26 sealers can also cause oxidative stress in hepatocytes.