Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Transdentinal cytotoxicity of glutaraldehyde on odontoblast-like cells
Débora Lopes Salles Scheffel1, Diana Gabriela Soares2, Fernanda Gonçalves Basso3
1Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Araraquara School of Dentistry, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Rua Humaitá, 1680, Araraquara, São Paulo 14801-903, Brazil.
Objectives:
This study investigated the transdentinal cytotoxicity of glutahaldehyde-containing solutions/materials on odontoblast-like cells.
Methods:
Dentin discs were adapted to artificial pulp chambers. MDPC-23 cells were seeded on the pulpal side of the discs and the occlusal surface was treated with the following solutions: water, 2% glutaraldehyde (GA), 5% GA, 10% GA, Gluma Comfort Bond+Desensitizer (GCB+De) or Gluma Desensitizer (GDe). Cell viability and morphology were assessed by the Alamar Blue assay and SEM. The eluates were collected and applied on cells seeded in 24-well plates. After 7 or 14 days the total protein (TP) production, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and deposition of mineralized nodules (MN) were evaluated.
Results:
Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). GA solutions were not cytotoxic against MDPC-23. GCB+De (85.1%) and GDe (77.2%) reduced cell viability as well as TP production and ALP activity at both periods. After 14 days, GCB+De and GDe groups produced less MN. Affected MDPC-23 presented deformation of the cytoskeleton and reduction of cellular projections.
Conclusions:
The treatment with 2.5%, 5% and 10% GA was not harmful to odontoblast-like cells. Conversely, when GA was combined with other components like HEMA, the final material became cytotoxic.
Clinical Significance:
Glutaraldehyde has been used to decrease dentin hypersensitivity. This substance is also capable of preventing resin-dentin bond degradation by cross-linking collagen and MMPs. This study showed that GA might be safe when applied on acid etched dentin. However, when combined with HEMA the product becomes cytotoxic.
