Bioactivity of MTA Plus, Biodentine and an experimental calcium silicate-based cement on human osteoblast-like cells

Abstract

Aim: To compare the bioactivity of Biodentine (BIO, Septodont), MTA Plus (MTA P, Avalon) and calcium silicate experimental cement (CSC) with resin (CSCR) associated with zirconium (CSCR ZrO2) or niobium (CSCR Nb2O5) oxide as radiopacifiers. Methodology: According to the relevance of osteoblastic cell response for mineralized tissue repair, human osteoblastic cells (Saos-2) were exposed to test materials and assessed for viability (MTT), cell proliferation, gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) osteogenic marker by real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), ALP activity assay and alizarin red staining (ARS) to detect mineralization nodule deposition in osteogenic medium. Unexposed cells acted as the control group (C). Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA and the Bonferroni post-test (P < 0.05). Results: All tested cements showed dose-dependent responses in cell viability (MTT). Exposed cells revealed good viability (80–130% compared to the control group) in the highest dilutions of all types of cement. MTA P, BIO and CSCR ZrO2 significantly increased the velocity of cell proliferation after three days of cell exposure in the wound-healing assay (P < 0.05), which corroborated MTT data. On day 3, the ALP transcript level increased, especially to CSCR Nb2O5 (P < 0.05). All cements exhibited suitable ALP enzyme activity, highlighting the 7-day period of cell exposure. ARS, CSCR Nb2O5, revealed a significant potential to induce mineralization in vitro. Conclusions: All materials had suitable biocompatibility and bioactivity. The MTA P, BIO and CSCR ZrO2 groups had the highest viability rates and velocity of proliferation whilst the CSCR Nb2O5 group produced more mineralized nodules.