Mouse peritoneal macrophage reaction to gutta percha in vivo and in vitro.
Mouse peritoneal macrophages were reacted with gutta percha, a kind of  natural rubber, widely used as a root canal filling material in endodontic therapy. Fine gutta percha particles were phagocytized by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Gutta percha particles injected intraperitoneally stimulated peritoneal macrophages and accumulated in milky spots on the omentum. Pure gutta percha membranes implanted intraperitoneally were covered and penetrated by macrophages. Gutta percha point membranes were partly digested in the same environment. Thus, evidence was obtained that gutta percha is not biologically inert in the strict sense, but can activate the body's defensive mechanisms.
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D006171:Gutta-Percha