Protocol for subcutaneous implantation of polyethylene tubes containing endodontic reparative materials in 12-week-old Wistar rats

The subcutaneous implantation of filled polyethylene tubes is traditionally used to investigate local biological responses to a material placed within this type of tube. An extensive report regarding this implantation technique in the 1960’s validated this type of implantation since their results indicated that “after 60 days of implantation the tubes were surrounded by a noninflamed connective tissue capsule”. Thus, a potential tissue reaction (i.e., inflammation) to an implanted filled tube could be attributed to the material/substance within the tube. However, it is crucial to include in the experimental setup empty tubes to be implanted similarly, serving as controls. Here, we describe a protocol for tube implantation used to investigate in vivo the tissue response to implanted polyethylene tubes containing calcium silicate-based materials. The expected results following these implantations include qualitative histological analysis and, additionally, quantitative data from score analysis are also obtainable.