Age-related changes in the immunoreactivity of the monocyte/macrophage system in rat molar pulp after cavity preparation.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare the response of the monocyte/macrophage system of dental pulp to cavity preparation in aged rats (12 and 18 months old) with that seen in young adult rats (3 and 6 months old).


METHODS
Cavities were prepared on the upper first molars, and the lower first molars served as intact controls. Specimens were collected at 1 day after cavity preparation, and cryostat sections were made.


RESULTS
Accumulation of OX6+ antigen-presenting cells along the pulp-dentin border and a marked increase in cell size ED2+ resident macrophages were noted in both young adult and aged rats after cavity preparation. In both cases, the number of ED1+ cells increased significantly after cavity preparation because of infiltrating monocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the pulpal defense reaction of the monocyte/macrophage system to cavity preparation in aged rats does not differ markedly from that in young adult rats.
Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontology, Fukuoka Dental College, 2-15-1 Tamura, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0193, Japan. caesar@college.fdcnet.ac.jp
Toshio
T
Izumi
Hiroshi
H
Inoue
Hiroshi
H
Matsuura
Fumihiko
F
Mukae
Hironobu
H
Ishikawa
Hirofumi
H
Hirano
Naoharu
N
Tamura
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II