Use of amphotericin B as antifungal agent in a culture medium for human dental pulp cells

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the behavior (survival and proliferation) of human third molar pulp cells cultivated in the presence or absence of amphotericin B. Methods: The cells were obtained from six impacted third molars extracted for orthodontic reasons. The pulp was minced into pieces, which were incubated at 37ºC for 60 minutes in buffer containing 0.2% collagenase. The cell suspension was divided into two tubes, centrifuged, and resuspensed in DMEM medium, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 units/mL penicillin, 100μg/mL streptomycin, 0.45μg/mL gentamincin, and 3.7mg/L HEPES with or without 2.5μg/mL of amphotericin B. The cells were plated in plastic culture dishes and incubated with 5% CO2/95% air at 37ºC. Results: Two out of the six tooth samples did not growth at any of the tested media. The other four samples growth in both media. The growth was more effective in the medium without amphotericin B. Conclusions: Although amphotericin B may prevent fungal contamination, it was concluded that amphotericin B may difficult the culture of human pulp cells. Key words: Amphotericin B; cell culture; dental pulp