Biological Activities and Potential Oral Applications of N-Acetylcysteine: Progress and Prospects

Figure 3

Representative scanning electron microscopy images showing attachment and morphology of human dental pulp cells on the surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) resin in the presence or absence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). After culturing for 24 hours, human dental pulp cells grew poorly with round or collapsed appearances in subgroup 0 wt.% NAC and subgroup 0.15 wt.% NAC (arrows). In contrast, the cells attached and spread well with spindle or polygonal shapes in subgroups 0.3 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, and 0.9 wt.% NAC. The number of adhering cells increased as the concentration of NAC increased in the experimental poly(methyl methacrylate) resin. Similar to the control, the resin surface of subgroup 0.9 wt.% NAC was almost fully covered by cells. Reprinted with permission [31].