Toxicity of Pulpispad using four different cell types

The cytotoxic effect of a zinc oxide-eugenol-based paste (Pulpispad) was evaluated in vitro after setting for 1 day and 1 week. Target cells were L929 cells, gingival, periodontal ligament and pulpal fibroblasts. The material was incubated with the cells for 4 and 24 hours, and its toxicity was evaluated with the 51Cr-release method. Pulpispad was highly cytotoxic to all cell lines even after setting for 1 week. The use of Pulpispad is not recommended for future clinical application. The various responses among the four cell lines indicated that diploid cell lines can, under certain circumstances, be less sensitive than aneuploid cell lines. It is therefore suggested that in the evaluation of biomaterials the choice of cell lines should be carefully considered, as they can display varying sensitivities.