N-acetylcysteine attenuates PGE₂ and ROS production stimulated by 4-META/MMA-based resin in murine osteoblastic cells

Abstract

This study examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the inflammatory reactions of murine osteoblastic cells cultured on the 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate (4-META/MMA)-based resin. Superbond C&B (SB) was used as the 4-META/MMA-based resin and placed in a 48-well cell culture plate. The cells were cultured in αMEM (control) as well as on SB and SB in αMEM with NAC (SB+NAC). They were examined using the WST-1 proliferation assay, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements, and cellular glutathione (GSH) detection. COX-2 and IL-6 gene expressions were upregulated in SB; however, they were suppressed by NAC. Furthermore, PGE₂ production in the culture medium was increased in SB, whereas NAC decreased the PGE₂ production. NAC lowered the ROS level in the culture medium and significantly increased the intracellular GSH level. The present in vitro study demonstrated that NAC might be effective for dental material detoxification.