Assessment of the cytotoxicity of a mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer with respect to macrophage activity

Aim To assess the influence of co‐culture with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and MTA Fillapex (FLPX) on the viability, adherence, and phagocytosis activity of peritoneal macrophages from two mouse strains. Methodology Cellular viability, adherence, and phagocytosis of Saccharomyces boulardii were assayed in the presence of capillaries containing MTA and MTA Fillapex. The data were analyzed using parametric (Student's t) and non‐parametric (Mann–Whitney) tests. Results FLPX was severely cytotoxic and decreased cell viability, adherence, and phagocytic activity of both macrophage subtypes. Cells that were treated with MTA Fillapex remained viable (>80%) for only 4 h after stimulation. Macrophages from C57BL/6 mice presented higher adherence and higher phagocytic activity compared with macrophages from BALB/c mice. Conclusion Comparison of MTA and FLPX effects upon macrophages indicates that FLPX may impair macrophage activity and viability, while MTA seems to increase phagocytic activity.