Biocompatibility and immunolabeling of fibronectin and tenascin of resinous root canal sealers

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of resinous root canal sealers: Sealer 26, AH plus, and SK Seal Root Canal Sealer in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats received polyethylene tubes containing the sealers and empty tubes as control (n = 6). After 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, animals were killed and polyethylene tubes were removed with the surrounding tissues. The specimens were embedded in paraffin, processed for hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry assessed for fibronectin (FN) and tenascin (TN). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were tabulated and analyzed via Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: All groups induced a moderate inflammatory reaction after 7 and 15 days (P > 0.05); after 30 days, a mild inflammatory infiltrate was observed in control groups, and moderate in sealers groups (P > 0.05); all groups showed mild inflammatory infiltrate at 60 days (P > 0.05). Overall, the fibrous capsule was considered thick only on the 7(th) day and became thin over time. All groups had expression for FN and TN in all analyzed periods, with high immunolabeling in sealers groups when comparing with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All sealers demonstrated biocompatibility and induced FN and TN expression.