Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in odontoblasts and their processes in rat maxillary molar teeth and the effect of pulpotomy.
A strong neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NT-like IR) was detected in the odontoblast cells of the rat teeth. 4 h after a partial pulpotomy performed in two maxillary molar teeth a decreased NT-like IR was observed in the odontoblast layer located at the vicinity of the lesion together with edema and nuclear pyknosis. NT-like IR became further decreased after 24 h. After 7 days NT-like IR had almost fully disappeared with signs of necrosis of the dental pulp and infiltration of polymorphonuclear lymphocytes. It seems possible that NT like peptides in the odontoblast cell layer may play a role, e.g., in dentinogenesis and/or nociception.
Bhatnagar
M
M
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Cintra
A
A
Tinner
B
B
Agnati
L F
LF
Kerezoudis
N
N
Edwall
L
L
Fuxe
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011672:Pulpotomy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
D009496:Neurotensin