Reaction of rat connective tissue to implants of polyethylene tubes containing calcium hydroxide pastes

Abstract

Aim: substances or materials in the market should be scientifically studied before they are used in human beings, and go through all levels of research. Some calcium hydroxide pastes, such as UltraCal XS and Calcicur are currently used in endodontics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue response to three calcium hydroxide pastes - UltraCal XS, Calcicur and an aqueous calcium hydroxide paste - in subcutaneous connective tissue of Wistar rats’ dorsum at 7 and 30 days. Methodology: four polyethylene tubes containing one of the pastes were inserted in the subcutaneous tissue of the dorsum of each of the sixteen Wistar rats according to a stratified randomization criterion. After animal sacrifice, samples were collected and prepared for histological analysis. Slides were analyzed qualitatively for the presence of neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells, eosinophils, macrophages and giant cells, as well as for fibrin and abscess formation. Results: no significant statistical differences between the three materials at 7 and 30 days were found. However, histological analysis revealed a reduction in scores from 7 to 30 days in the three calcium hydroxide pastes (two-way ANOVA). Conclusions: the three pastes under analysis were biocompatible at the two time points in this study.