title: Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat periapical lesions.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) during the development of periapical lesions in rats. Periapical lesions developed within 28 days after pulp exposure of mandibular first molars in Wistar rats. The animals were sacrificed randomly at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after pulpal exposure. The jaws that contained the first molar were obtained and routinely prepared for immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry. A few phosphorylated p38 MAPK (P-p38)-positive cells and osteoclasts could be observed on day 7; both peaked in number on day 14. In the 21- and 28-day samples, the P-p38 MAPK expression decreased and fewer osteoclasts were observed. From day 7 to day 28, a significant positive correlation was found between P-p38 MAPK expression and osteoclasts. These findings showed that the activation of p38 MAPK might be associated with bone resorption in periapical lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000201:enzymology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase