Purpose: To evaluate the formation of reactive oxygen species in human leukocytes promoted by bone substitutes that are different in origin and morphology used for jawbone tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: This preclinical prospective randomized crossover study involved 10 subjects, from whom venous blood samples were taken. Leukocytes were separated and standardized. Sixty experimental samples consisted of leukocytes incubated with allogeneic, xenogeneic, or alloplastic bone substitutes at different bone weights (12.5 and 25 mg). The control samples consisted only of incubated leukocytes. Reactive oxygen species were quantitatively determined with the fluorimetric method. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 23 software.

Results: The highest average reactive oxygen species values were obtained in the allogeneic bone substitute group (P < .05), while the xenogeneic bone substitute group and control group presented equal reactive oxygen species formation rates (P > .05). A proportional difference (P < .05) of reactive oxygen species emission was obtained between different masses of bone substitute in the samples.

Conclusion: Allogeneic and alloplastic bone substitutes affect leukocytes and promote reactive oxygen species emission. Xenogeneic bone substitute presents no leukocyte stimulation and maintains anti-inflammatory conditions. Larger bone substitute mass provokes greater oxidative stress.