This study investigated the effects of various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on human whole-blood clotting kinetics, the structure of the blood clots formed, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 release.

Human whole blood was collected from 5 healthy volunteers and divided into 4 groups: CG (control, 0.5 mL of blood), BN_0.5 (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 0.5% NaOCl), BN₃ (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 3% NaOCl), and BN_5.25 (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl). The effects of NaOCl on clotting kinetics, structure of fibrin and cells, and release of TGF-β1 were assessed using thromboelastography (TEG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and enzyme-linked immunosobent assay, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, followed by the post hoc Dunn test. A p value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

The blood samples in BN_0.5 and BN₃ did not clot, whereas the TEG of BN_5.25 showed altered clot formation. Samples from the CG and BN₃ groups could only be processed with SEM, which showed that the latter lacked fibrin formation and branching of fibers, as well as clumping of red blood cells with surface roughening and distortion. TGF-β1 release was significantly highest in BN₃ when all groups were compared to CG (p < 0.05).

Each concentration of NaOCl affected the release of TGF-β1 from blood clots and altered the clotting mechanism of blood by affecting clotting kinetics and cell structure.

This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) using blood clots (BCs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) through intraoral periapical radiography (IOPAR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Forty-five single-rooted necrotic teeth with periapical pathology were randomly allocated to receive BC, PRP, or PRF as an individual scaffold. Outcomes were evaluated in 35 teeth in 23 patients with a follow-up period of 12–24 months through qualitative IOPAR scoring and quantitative CBCT measurements. Healing of periapical lesions and in immature teeth, changes in the apical foramen diameter (AFD), root wall thickness (RWT), and root length (RL) were assessed. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

All teeth were asymptomatic except 1 in the PRP group. Periapical lesion healing was seen in all except 2 teeth in the BC group and 3 in the PRP group. Both IOPAR and CBCT revealed no significant differences in bone healing or changes in AFD, RWT, and RL among the 3 groups. A positive pulp sensibility response to the cold test was seen in 2 teeth in the BC group, but none to the electric pulp test. Intracanal calcification (ICC) was evident in more teeth in the BC group than in the PRP and PRF groups, and was also significantly higher in immature teeth.

Our results revealed that BC, PRP, and PRF have similar potential as scaffolds in REPs, and ICC may be a concern for long-term outcomes.