Quantitative analysis of culturable bacteria, levels of endotoxins, inflammatory mediators and substance P in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and in teeth with vital normal pulp tissues

摘要

AimTo comparatively analyse the levels of culturable bacteria, endotoxins (LPS), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and substance P in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) and vital normal pulp (VNP) tissues. MethodologyThirty-two patients were included (20 teeth with SIP and 12 teeth with VNP tissues) in this cross-sectional study. Samples were collected from the full length of the root canals (microbial analysis) and periapical tissues (2 mm beyond the apex for immunological analysis), using sterile absorbent paper points. The levels of culturable bacteria (culture method), endotoxins (LAL Pyrogent 5000), TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and substance P (ELISA) were assessed. The Mann-Whitney test was used for comparisons between the levels of CFU/mL, LPS, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and substance P in the SIP and VNP groups. The statistical analysis was performed with the significance level set at 5. ResultsCulturable bacteria were recovered from all teeth with SIP. On the other hand, no positive cultures were observed in the VNP tissues group (p > .05). The levels of LPS were approximately four times higher in teeth with SIP than in teeth with VNP tissues (p .05). ConclusionTeeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis present higher levels of culturable bacteria, endotoxins, TNF-alpha and substance P than those with vital normal pulp tissues. On the other hand, the levels of IL-1 beta were similar in teeth from both groups suggesting reduced implications of this inflammatory mediator in the early stages of infection.