Siqueira DCR. Cytotoxicity analysis of 1% sodium hypochlorite, of 2% chlorhexidine digluconate and of Endoquil and its effects on release of cytokine and nitric oxide in cultured murine macrophages. [PhD Thesis] São Paulo: Faculdade de Odontologia da USP; 2010. The cytotoxicity of 1% sodium hypochlorite, of 2% chlorhexidine digluconate and of Endoquil and its effects on cytokine release and nitric oxide were evaluated in culture of murine peritoneal macrophages. Substances were diluted 1,000 and 10,000 times: Control Group with culture medium using McCoy 5A`s ® modified and apirogenic, Group Sodium Hypochlorite 1% (dilutions A-0.001 and B-0.0001); Group Chlorhexidine Digluconate 2% (dilutions A-0.002 and B-0.0002); Group Endoquil 10% (dilutions A-0.01 and B-0.001).70 female mice of strain C57BL/6J were used. After anesthesia and sacrifice, middle McCoy`s ® 5A modified was injected in the abdominal cavity of animals and then the cellular exudate was aspirated. The cytotoxicity assay was performed by MTT method in the periods: short term (4 and 12 hours), medium term (24, 48 and 72 hours) and long term (5 to 7 days). The absorbance of the wells was read on ELISA reader at 550 nm. The values were compared with standard values, observing the viability and cell number in each group as a function of time. The in vitro quantification of cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was performed using an ELISA-type immunoassay, using the kit Quantikine ® M Murine. Analysis of nitric oxide synthesis was conducted according to the Griess assay, in which nitric oxide is converted to nitrite, the latter being detected colorimetrically. Each experimental group was analyzed at two time points (24 and 48h) with stimulation of LPS or not, in duplicates. The data were submitted to statistical analysis of variance and, where necessary, complemented by Tukey test. After 12 hours, the group treated with chlorhexidine with dilution A significantly decreased cell viability when compared to the groups treated with sodium hypochlorite and Endoquil. This decline has extended to 24, 48 and 72 hours, when cell death occurred. After 5 and 7 days occured the reduction of viability in all groups, with significant differences for the chlorhexidine group. In relation to cytokines and nitric oxide: sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine induced the production and exacerbated the effect of LPS on IL-1α and IL-1 β, respectively, while Endoquil decreased these effects;chlorhexidine inhibited the stimulatory effect of LPS, reducing the synthesis of IL-6; just as Endoquil chlorhexidine decreased the synthesis of TNF-α, but hypochlorite increased production in 24 hours; even stimulated with LPS, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine undertook the synthesis of nitric oxide in 24 hours and, after 48 hours only chlorhexidine kept inhibition.