Exploring the staining potential of GSK-3 inhibitors in bovine teeth: a one-year laboratory investigation

Abstract

GSK-3 inhibitors, such as Tideglusib (TG) and CHIR-99021 (CHIR), show promise in stimulating reparative dentin formation. The aim of this study was to assess the discoloration potential of TG and CHIR in an established in vitro model.
Enamel-dentin specimens made from bovine incisors were randomly allocated to five groups (n=15 each): group bovine blood (BB), group dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), group TG, group CHIR, and group mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Each specimen had a central cavity in which the respective material was applied and sealed with resin-based luting material. Color determination was conducted using a dental spectrophotometer at t0 (before filling), t1 (immediately after filling), t2 (after one week), t3 (after one month), t4 (after three months), t5 (after six months), and t6 (after one year). Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and analysis of variance (α=0.05).
Group BB and group CHIR exhibited the most significant decrease in lightness (∆L*) after one year (∆L*-4.7 and ∆L* -5.7, respectively), whereas groups DMSO, TG, and MTA showed minimal changes (DMSO ∆L*: -0.3; TG ∆L*: 1.4; MTA ∆L*: -0.5). Group BB and CHIR exhibited the highest ∆E values (6.4±0.6 and 6.5±0.8, respectively).
Unlike CHIR, TG did not result in discoloration exceeding the threshold of visual perception, defined by a ∆E value of 5.5, during the one-year observation period. This laboratory study therefore suggests that TG could be utilized for indirect or direct pulp capping without major discoloration concerns. However, additional research is required to corroborate these findings.