Induction and reduction of DNA toxicity caused by intermediates from dental restorative ma-terials

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Franz-Xaver Reichl
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255951300

Comonomers and monomers are used as dental restorative materials. Unconverted compounds can be released from dental composites and can enter the body in humans. The uptake, distribution, and excretion of methacrylates have been elucidated in animal stud-ies. In the metabolism of these methacrylates the intermediates 2,3-epoxymethacrylate (2,3-EMA) and epoxy-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (Epoxy-HEMA) were detected. Epoxy-compounds are regarded as mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. In further studies it could be demonstrated that 2,3-EMA and other compounds could actually induce mutagenic effects in human cells and embryotoxicity in mouse stem cells.Due to the potential reactivity of epoxides and their consecutive reactions, in this study the induction of DNA toxicity by 2.3-EMA and Epoxy-HEMA and repair mechanisms should be examined in human gingival fibroblasts and in human liver cells. In further experiments the influence of antioxidants to reduce DNA-toxicity should be investigated. On the basis of these data, the risk characterization on the DNA toxicity can be estimated for released/metabolized dental materials in human cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants