RESUMEN
PURPOSE: This investigation assessed the estrogenic action of various types of sealants. METHODS: Three light-cured sealants (Denton Clear, Delton Opaque, Ultraseal XT Plus) were applied in polyethylene molds (Ø:10mm, h:2mm, n:8) and photopolymerized (40 seconds, halogen bulb unit, standard mode 650 mW/cm 2 intensity). All specimens were immersed in normal saline for 1 week at 37 °C. Samples of eluents at concentrations of 5% and 10% (volume per volume) were tested for estrogenicity by measuring their effect on the proliferation of the estrogen responsive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In addition, an estrogen insensitive cell line was used as a control (MDA-MB-231) to exclude a possible cytostatic effect of the tested materials. All assays were repeated 4 times, and results analyzed with a 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test at the 0.05 level. RESULTS: Eluents of the sealants tested at concentrations of 5% and 10% did not possess estrogenicity, except for the eluent of one sealant (Delton Opaque) at concentration 10%, which caused an induction of the proliferation rate of the MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Eluents of sealants tested at a concentration of 5% had no estrogenic activity. The eluent of Delton Opaque at a concentration of 10% possessed some estrogenic activity.