A study on the cytotoxic effect of methylmethacrylate monomer on a culture model system

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To analyse the in vitro effect of methylmethacrylate monomer on a culture of erythrocytes. Research question: An in vitro study on a culture model system to assess the cytotoxic effect of the residual methylmethacrylate potentially leached from dental appliances. Methods used: The methods used in this experiment included namely the MTT assay, and the quantifying and assessing of the RNA integrity through the Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100. The former quantified the mitochondrial enzymes activity, therefore quantifying the amount of viable cells, whilst the latter quantified the damaged RNA by comparing its bands and peaks to a control culture which had not been exposed to monomer. The monomer concentrations used were 0.1 μL, 0.5 μL, 1 μL, 2 μL and 4 μL, and 0 μL for the control. Results were analysed using the SPSS program. Overall findings: with a p value of less than 0.05, the monomer concentrations of 1 μL, 2 μL and 4 μL (per 100 μL cell culture) were found to have a statistically significant effect on the cell culture. The 0.1 μL and the 0.5 μL concentrations did not have a statistically significant effect. When using the Bioanalyzer with the culture exposed to the 1 μL concentration, it was observed that the RNA was affected, though not as severely. Conclusions: Methyl methacrylate monomer exhibits cytotoxicity in a dose dependent manner, with concentrations of 10 μL and above showing statistically significant effects. Recommendations and implications for practice: Further tests can be carried out to ascertain the effect of monomer on the culture. Different cells related to the oral mucosa can be used, and assays to distinguish between necrosis, apoptosis and impeding proliferation can be carried out to assess exact mode of execution.