title: The anti-inflammatory effects of human recombinant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase on pulp inflammation.
abstract: Inflammation in the dental pulp is accompanied by release of a wide variety of highly oxidative molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS concentrations are controlled in vivo by an antioxidant enzyme scavenger system that may be overwhelmed by the increases in ROS production seen during inflammation. Supplementation of the antioxidant defense system, therefore, may limit the severity of the inflammatory response to injury due to this component. To test this hypothesis, this study examined the effects of superoxide radical scavenging on pulpal inflammation induced in rat molars by standardized cavity preparation. The extent of pulp inflammation was compared histomorphometrically between animals treated with exogenous administration of a human recombinant antioxidant enzyme, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, conjugated to polyethylene glycol (hr-CuZn-SOD), versus saline-vehicle controls. There was a statistically significant reduction in area of inflammation involvement in those animals treated with hrCuZn-SOD, compared with controls. Although hrCuZn-SOD administration did not completely eliminate inflammation in all animals treated, there was a statistically significant lessening of the severity of the inflammatory response, as well as a greater degree of reparative dentin observed in the hrCuZn-SOD-treated animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, University of Michigan Dental School, Ann Arbor 48109-1078, USA.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Baumgardner
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sulfaro
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase