Subcellular localization of glutaraldehyde

Glutaraldehyde (GA) has been proposed as an alternative to formocresol for pulpotomies in primary teeth and as an irrigant in root canal therapy. These studies were undertaken to determine if GA can associate with the nucleus of living cells, thereby posing a mutagenic threat. Rats were infused IV with 14C-GA and killed 5 min and 1 h later. The cystolic, membrane, and nuclear fractions of harvested liver cells were separated and analyzed for radioactivity. We determined that significant radioactivity was located in the cytosol and membrane fractions, but not in the nuclear fraction. In an in vitro experiment, liver slices were incubated with 14C-GA in sealed vials in which 14C-CO2 was captured. After 1 h the nucleic acids of the liver slices were isolated and counted. In vitro the liver cells incorporated and metabolized GA to CO2 but no significant label could be detected in the isolated nucleic acids. We concluded from these experiments that GA which was incorporated into liver cells did not reach the nucleus to a significant extent, and that its potential for mutagenicity in the context of pulp treatment was nil.