Lipid peroxidation as a possible cause of benzoyl peroxide toxicity in rabbit dental pulp--a microsomal lipid peroxidation in vitro.

The toxicity of composite resin on rabbit dental pulp was investigated biochemically. A microsomal fraction of rabbit dental pulp was incubated with each of the components of composite resins, and the formation of peroxide was determined by the thiobarbituric acid reaction. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), the most widely used catalyst, was the most effective on peroxidation, but monomers were not. Cations such as Cu2+ or Fe2+ were required for acceleration of this reaction. Authentic polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids were extensively converted into their peroxides by BPO, but amino acids and carbohydrates were not. Among the active oxygens, hydroxyl radicals were thought to be responsible for BPO-dependent peroxidation. The results presented in this paper indicate that the lipid portion of the cells may be attacked by hydroxyl radicals produced by BPO and copper or iron. Therefore, BPO is considered to be the major factor responsible for the toxicity of composite resins.