In vitro testing of dental materials by means of macrophage cultures. I: Methodological aspects

Alternative methods for assessing biocompatibility and function of implant materials

Biocompatibility testing is used to evaluate the host response to implantable materials and to assess their ability to perform in applications in which they are intended to interact with biological systems. In compliance with international and/or national standards, such assessment is based mainly on the results of experimental implantation into animal tissues. However, the development of in vitro experimental techniques creates new opportunities to observe and to understand the interaction of biomaterials with host tissue. The state-of-the-art application of alternative methods in biocompatibility testing is presented in this review article. It is discussed with respect to the Three Rs concept (reduction, refinement, replacement) of Russell & Burch. Perspectives on alternative methods in biocompatibility studies are discussed with regard to the possible role of biomaterials in tissue engineering.

In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility of experimental titanium alloys for dental restorations

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Applications of titanium casting to fixed and removable prostheses have not been satisfactory because of the high melting point of titanium and its great reactivity with mold materials. Low-melting titanium alloys would alleviate many casting problems. At the present time, low-melting titanium alloys are not available for clinical dental use.

PURPOSE

The study evaluated the safety of 2 prototype low-melting titanium casting alloys for their future development for dental restorations. The 2 experimental titanium alloys were titanium-cobalt(Ti 81.4% wt, Co 18.6% wt) and titanium-silver (Ti 75% wt, Ag 25% wt). Commercially pure titanium and a commonly used nickel-chromium-based dental alloy were also included for comparison.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Assays for evaluating mutagenicity and cytotoxicity were Ames salmonella/microsome mutagenicity spot test, agar diffusion method, and cell attachment assay.

RESULTS

The results of Ames test showed that none of the experimental titanium alloys, pure titanium, or nickel-chromium samples were mutagenic. There were no leachable components to cause cellular lysis or decolorization in the agar diffusion assay from the 4 group metals. The results of the cell attachment assay demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the numbers of cells attached to the 4 group metals. However, the mean number of cells attached to nickel-chromium samples was significantly lower than that of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the data obtained from this study, it is concluded that the prototype Ti alloys are not mutagenic and imposes minimal risks associated with cytotoxicity.

Tissue reaction to gutta-percha particles of various sizes when implanted subcutaneously in guinea pigs

Tissue reaction to gutta-percha was studied using subcutaneously implanted Teflon cages in guinea pigs. Gutta-percha was tested in three forms: (i) as large particles prepared by dividing gutta-percha cones into pieces, (ii) as fine particles prepared by ball-milling of gutta-percha, and (iii) as particles produced by dissolving gutta-percha in rosin-chloroform. Gutta-percha evoked two distinct types of tissue response. The large pieces were well encapsulated and the surrounding tissue was free of inflammation. The fine particles evoked an intense, localized tissue response, characterized by the presence of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. The rosin-chloroform treated gutta-percha induced a similar tissue reaction to that observed with the fine particles of gutta-percha. In addition, cell remnants were present in association with the material, which indicates an initial toxicity to rosin-chloroform treated gutta-percha. These results show that the size and surface character of gutta-percha can determine the type of tissue reaction to the material. The accumulation of macrophages around gutta-percha may be an important factor in the impairment of healing of periapical lesions when teeth are root filled with excess material.

Splenic response to silicon drain material following intraperitoneal implantation

To study the splenic response to intraperitoneal biomaterials, 100% silicon rubber drain fragments were intraperitoneally implanted in the rat. Four days after implantation, specimens of the spleen and implanted rubber fragment were retrieved and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). In SEM, macrophages with membrane fusion and cytoplasmic spreading were noted on the surfaces of implanted rubber fragments. Specimens of the spleen from animals with implants showed light 3-10-microns structures that were not observed in those without implants. EDX revealed the presence of silicon both in the rubber fragment and in the spleen of the implanted animals. Both light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed a large number of particles inside giant cells of the spleen. The present study demonstrated an active transport of rubber fragments containing silicon from the peritoneal cavity to the spleen by adherent macrophages, reflecting a splenic response to intraperitoneal implantation of biomaterials. The modes of silicon rubber degradation and transportation remain to be elucidated.

Growth of osteoblasts on porous calcium phosphate ceramic: an in vitro model for biocompatibility study

Biomaterial implantation in animals is commonly used for biocompatibility studies as well as examination of long-term interaction between tissue and the test material. An in vitro cell culture model is proposed as an alternative which will save animal lives and reduce the pain and discomfort of animals used for such studies. In this study the biomaterial was matched to the cell types typical of the implant site of the particular material: porous calcium phosphate ceramic, used as dental and orthopaedic implants, with periosteal fibroblasts, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. All three cell types attached on to the ceramic and formed multicellular layers. Numbers of periosteal fibroblasts, osteoblasts and chondrocytes increased 29-, 23- and 17-fold, respectively, during the 10 wk period. Osteoblasts retained their phenotypic expression by producing only Type I collagen. Parathyroid hormone (PTH, 50 nM) suppressed the alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts by over 50% and increased cAMP by more than 10-fold over control cultures.

Development of a new system for evaluating the biocompatibility of implant materials using an osteogenic cell line (MC3T3-E1)

A new culture system was developed to clarify the biocompatibility of implant materials with bone tissue using the MC3T3-E1 osteogenic cell line. The cells were inoculated onto specimens such as aluminium oxide, titanium, dental casting silver-palladium alloy (PD), and a plastic coverslip. To study the effects of these materials on cell growth, differentiation, and calcification, DNA and protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium content, respectively, were determined. The results from biochemical analysis suggest titanium and aluminum oxide to have adequate biocompatibility, while PD has an irritant effect on cell metabolism. It is clear that an objective view of the differentiation and calcification processes of osteogenic cells can be understood through such analysis. From the results of this study, our culture system appears suitable for evaluating the biocompatibility of implant materials with bone tissue.

In vitro testing of dental materials by means of macrophage cultures: II. Effects of particulate dental amalgams and their constituent phases on cultured macrophages

It is known that macrophages play an important role in the removal of foreign particulate matter from tissue. When powdered dental amalgam is introduced into the soft tissues an amalgam tattoo is formed due to the intracellular degradation of amalgam by macrophages and their polykaryons. It was therefore feasible to study the effects of particulate amalgams as well as their individual phases on macrophages in vitro. The parameters compared were rate of the phagocytosis, changes of cellular morphology, and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to demonstrate plasma membrane permeability. It was shown that all the alloys except the Sn8Hg particles (gamma 2-phase) and gamma 2-containing Revalloy were effectively phagocytized by macrophages, and the alterations in cellular morphology were slight during the first day. Prominent cellular damage was seen in cultures treated with particulate Ag2Hg3 (gamma 1-phase) and Revalloy for 1 week. A slight increase in LDH activity in the medium was seen one hour after the alloy treatment. The LDH activities due to the amalgam treatment increased in the order Dispersalloy less than Revalloy less than Sybraloy. Intraperitoneal phagocytosis did not cause any morphological changes in macrophages, but the per cent of phagocytosis was diminished.