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Antimicrobial action, cytotoxicity and erosive potential of hypochlorous acid obtained from an electrolytic device compared with sodium hypochlorite

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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial action, cytotoxicity, cleaning ability, and erosion of dentine of hypochlorous acid (HClO) obtained from an electrolytic device at two different concentrations (Dentaqua) and three concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).

Methods

Microbiological test—The root canals of sixty single-rooted extracted human teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into 6 groups (n = 10), according to decontamination protocol: DW (control); 1% NaOCl; 2.5% NaOCl; 5.25% NaOCl; 250 ppm HClO and 500 ppm HClO. The colony-forming units were counted to evaluate the decontamination potential of each group, calculating the reduction in bacterial percentage. Cytotoxicity test—Cytotoxicity was evaluated after inoculation of the same tested protocols in fibroblastic cells for 3 min, calculating the cell viability percentages. Specifical statistical analysis was performed (α = 5%). Cleaning ability and erosion—Fifty-six single-rooted bovine lower incisors were divided into seven groups of 8 roots each, being the test groups 1% NaOCl; 2.5% NaOCl; 5,25% NaOCl; 250 ppm HClO and 500 ppm HClO, and a negative and positive control. Negative control was not contaminated, and the other groups were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis. SEM images were ranked as from the cleanest to the least clean. Erosion was also assessed, being ranked from the least to the most eroded dentine.

Results

The highest bacterial reduction was observed in experimental groups, with no statistical differences between them (p > 0.05). The highest number of viable cells was observed in control group, followed by 250 ppm HClO and 500 ppm HClO groups, with statistical differences between them (p < 0.05). 1% NaOCl; 2.5% NaOCl; 5.25% NaOCl and 500 ppm HClO displayed the cleanest areas. All sodium hypochlorite groups displayed erosion with higher ranks with greater concentration, while hypochlorous acid did not display any erosion regardless the concentration.

Conclusions

It is possible to conclude that HClO obtained from an electrolytic device presented high antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity in both tested concentrations. 500 ppm HClO did not display erosion and showed great cleaning ability.

Clinical relevance

The use of 500 ppm hypochlorous acid may reduce unfavorable behavior of sodium hypochlorite whilst maintaining its antimicrobial action.

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Dentistry, Graduate Program in Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo - UPF. BR 285/São José, Prédio A7, Apto 2, Passo Fundo, RS, CEP: 9052-900, Brazil

    Matheus Albino Souza, Gabriele Nichetti Vanin, Mylena Lazareti Zanella, Camila Monteiro Pizzi, Eduarda Rizzon Ferreira, Felipe Gomes Dallepiane & Nathan Mateus Piccolo

  2. School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania – UPENN, 240 South 40Th Street (40Th & Locust St.), Philadelphia, PA, ZIP19104, USA

    Liviu Steier

  3. Graduate Program in Dentistry, Oral Biology Lab, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, Rua Sarmento Leite 500 Sala 134, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP90050-170, Brazil

    Jordana da Silva Koch, Kellyn Rocca Souza & José Antônio Poli de Figueiredo

  4. School of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Santa Catarina – UDESC, Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, SC, CEP: 88.520-000, Brazil

    Ubirajara Maciel da Costa

  5. School of Medicine, University of Planalto Catarinense – UNIPLAC, Av. Mal. Castelo Branco 170, Lages, SC, CEP 88526-075, Brazil

    Vanessa Valgas dos Santos

  6. Department of Endodontics, Medical Faculty, Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Lödz, 251 Pomorska Street, Lödz, 92-213, Poland

    Aleksandra Palatynska-Ulatowska

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  1. Matheus Albino Souza
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Contributions

Matheus Albino Souza—supervising all experimental tests and writing the article.

Gabriele Vanin—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Mylena Zanella—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Camila Pizzi—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Eduarda Ferreira—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Felipe Dallepiane—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Nathan Piccolo—performing microbiological and cytotoxicity tests.

Jordana da Silva Koch – performing SEM cleaning and erosion tests.

Kellyn Rocca Souza – performing SEM cleaning and erosion tests.

Aleksandra Palatynska-Ulatowska—performing SEM cleaning and erosion tests.

Ubirajara Maciel da Costa – supervising the cytotoxicity test.

Vanessa Valgas dos Santos – supervising the cytotoxicity test.

Liviu Steier – supervising all experimental tests and writing the article.

José Antonio Poli de Figueiredo—supervising all experimental tests and writing the article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Antônio Poli de Figueiredo.

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Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Research Ethical Committee of the University of Passo Fundo (protocol No. 5.783.928).

Informed consent

Informed consent is not applicable because samples were composed of extracted human teeth that were obtained from the Biobank.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Souza, M.A., Steier, L., Vanin, G.N. et al. Antimicrobial action, cytotoxicity and erosive potential of hypochlorous acid obtained from an electrolytic device compared with sodium hypochlorite. Clin Oral Invest 28, 282 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-024-05675-6

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