Comparison of cell viabilityand cytotoxicity of MTA,45S5 and niobiophosphatebioactive glass

Aim: This current in vitro study investigated the cytotoxicity and the ability to maintain cell viability of two bioglasses, the commercial 45S5 (Sylc®, OSspray Ltd, London, UK) and the experimental NbG (niobiophosphate bioactive glass), in comparison to MTA (MTA Angelus®, Parana, Brazil). Methods: In the cell viability assay, human gingival fibroblasts were exposed to the bioactive materials/cements (NbG; 45S5; and MTA) diluted in the cell culture medium. According to ISO 10993-5, a cytotoxic effect was considered when there was a decrease in cell viability of more than 30%. The three bioactive materials were also analyzed under SEM (TM 3030, Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) to assess the mean particle size, and under EDX analysis (EDX-720, Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan) to verify composition and the presence of contaminants. Results: Human gingival fibroblasts had the highest cell viability when exposed to NbG (p<0.001). The control group and the MTA group had similar values (p=0.2341). The lowest cell viability occurred for the 45S5 group (p<0.001). The average particle size of the materials tested was 5.2μm for 45S5; 54.0μm for NbG; and 4.0μm for MTA. 45S5 and NbG showed the presence of Si, Ca, and P. Conclusion: The 45S5 bioglass was cytotoxic to fibroblasts, while MTA was not. The addition of niobium into the bioglass composition is advantageous.