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. 2011 Nov;112(5):662-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2011.04.030. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Effect of sodium hypochlorite on human pulp cells: an in vitro study

Mark D Essner  1 , Amjad Javed, Paul D Eleazer
Affiliations

Effect of sodium hypochlorite on human pulp cells: an in vitro study

Mark D Essner et al. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011 Nov.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on human pulp cells to provide an aid in determining its optimum concentration in maintaining the viability of remaining pulp cells in the revascularization of immature permanent teeth with apical periodontitis.

Study design: Human pulp tissue cells taken from extracted third molars were plated, incubated, and subjected to various concentrations of NaOCl (0.33%, 0.16%, 0.08%, and 0.04%) for 5-, 10-, and 15-minute time intervals to simulate possible contact times in vivo. The Cell Titer-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay was used to determine the number of viable cells present in culture following treatment.

Results: The results showed an increase in cell viability with the lowering of NaOCl concentration. The use of 0.04% NaOCl was similar to the control, indicating nearly complete preservation of cell viability at all time intervals tested. As sodium hypochlorite concentration increased from 0.04% to 0.33%, cell viability decreased correspondingly.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the lowest concentration of NaOCl tested did not affect the viability of cells. This may prove beneficial in developing a new treatment protocol to help preserve existing vital pulp cells in revascularization cases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Decreased cell viability and altered morphology of pulp cells exposed to sodium hypochlorite
Primary human pulp cells were seeded in 12-well culture dishes and exposed to the indicated concentrations of NaOCl for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Pictures were taken 24 hours later, and a representative image of each treatment group performed in triplicate is shown (top). Note the change in cell density and morphology with higher NaOCl concentration. Pulp cells died when exposed to 0.33% NaOCl for 10 and 15 minutes (rounded floating cells). Cell viability was determined with the Cell Titer–Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay as described in the Materials and Methods section.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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