Influence of Novel Resin Monomer on Viability of L-929 Mouse Fibroblasts in vitro

Polymethyl methacrylate does not adversely affect the osteogenic potential of human adipose stem cells or primary osteoblasts

Custom-made polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is used to treat cranial bone defects but whether it is cytotoxic is still unsure. Possible PMMA-induced adverse effects in vivo affect mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts at the implant site. We aimed to investigate whether PMMA affects osteogenic and osteoclast activation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells and/or osteoblasts. Immediately after polymerization, PMMA was added to cultured human adipose stem cells (hASCs) or human osteoblasts (hOBs). Medium lactate dehydrogenase was measured (day 1), metabolic activity, proliferation, osteogenic and osteoclast-activation marker expression (day 1 and 7), and mineralization (day 14). PMMA did not affect lactate dehydrogenase, KI67 gene expression, or metabolic activity in hASCs and hOBs. PMMA transiently decreased DNA content in hOBs only. PMMA increased COL1 gene expression in hASCs, but decreased RUNX2 in hOBs. PMMA did not affect osteocalcin or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, ALP activity, or mineralization. Only in hOBs, PMMA decreased RANKL/OPG ratio. In conclusion, PMMA is not cytotoxic and does not adversely affect the osteogenic potential of hASCs or hOBs. Moreover, PMMA does not enhance production of osteoclast factors by hASCs and hOBs in vitro. Therefore, PMMA bone cement seems highly suitable to treat patients with cranial bone defects.

Development of an orthodontic elastic material using EMA-based resin combined with 1-butanol

For the development of new orthodontic elastic material, 1-butanol was added to PEMA-TA/HX resin. In the present study, basic experiments to reveal the mechanical properties of the materials were conducted. FT-IR spectroscopy showed that addition of 1-butanol did not cause any chemical changes to the PEMA-TA/HX resin. After addition of 1-butanol to PEMA-TA/HX resin, the modulus of elasticity, instantaneous modulus elasticity, retarded elasticity and viscosity were lowered in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the elastic strain was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, on the application of heat a shape-memory effect was observed. These results suggest that the modulus of elasticity of this material can be adjusted. Additionally, this material has the ability to restore force as a function of its shape-memory effect in cases of plastic deformation at the insertion of appliances. This new orthodontic elastic material has the potential to be clinically effective in orthodontic treatment.

Methyl Methacrylate Activates the Gsta1 Promoter

Residual monomers in resin-based biomaterials cause cytotoxicity. We previously showed that methyl methacrylate (MMA) induced mRNA expression of the glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 gene ( Gsta1) located downstream of the cis-acting anti-oxidant responsive element (ARE). Herein, we tested the hypothesis that MMA activated the Gsta1 promoter through the ARE. HepG2 cells were transfected with a luciferase reporter vector containing the ARE and the Gsta1 promoter (−990 to +46 bp) and cultured for 12 hrs with MMA (initial concentration, 10 mM). Analysis of the expressed luciferase activity indicated that MMA activated the promoter 2.6-fold. MMA (from 1 to 30 mM) dose-dependently increased the promoter activity, which reached a plateau between 6 and 12 hrs. In HepG2 cells transfected with a reporter vector containing 2 AREs and a TATA-like promoter, 10 mM MMA increased the reporter expression 2.8-fold. These results suggest that MMA increases Gsta1 transcription through ARE-mediated promoter activation.

Basic study of a new soft resin applied with bisfunctional siloxane oligomer

To make a base polymer of a new soft resin material, a copolymer of 1,3-Bis(methacryloxypropyl)tetramethyl disiloxane (BMPMS) and methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) was investigated. It was found that the compressive strength, bending strength and bending modulus value of the copolymer decreased with increase in BMPMS concentration. While, transverse deflection increased with increase in BMPMS concentration. As for the 50% inhibitory concentration value, it was about 0.8 mM for BMPMS.