Peptidergic nerves in human tooth pulp.
Substance P-like and enkephalin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the human tooth pulp. Immunoreactivity for substance P could be demonstrated in thin, beaded nerve fibers and glomerular-type nerve structures both in the center and in more peripheral parts of the tooth pulp. Substance P-like nerve fibers predominated in the center of the pulp substance, while a thicker type of enkephalin-like nerve fibers were more commonly seen at the periphery of the pulp. Controls exhibited no immunoreactivity for either neuropeptide. It is tentatively suggested that a dual innervation by substance P-like fibers and enkephalin-like nerve fibers may be involved in the mediation of toothache in man.
D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000294:innervation*; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013373:Substance P / Q000302:isolation & purification
D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D013373:Substance P; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine