title: A quantitative analysis of mast cells in inflammatory periapical and gingival lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to quantify the presence of mast cells in various inflammatory lesions like periapical granuloma, periapical cyst, inflammatory gingival hyperplasia and pyogenic granuloma. Mast cell degranulation and association with lymphocytes were also recorded in an attempt to understand the role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of these inflammatory lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quantification of mast cells was done on toluidine blue stained sections of all the four groups of lesions, using the image analyzer software, Image-Pro-Express (Media Cybernetics, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increased number of mast cells in various inflammatory lesions with a significant difference between the four groups were noted. Mast cell number tended to be greater in the lesions present in the anterior region of the mouth than in the posterior region of the oral cavity. The mean mast cell number decreased with the increasing age which was directly correlated with the age of the patients. Mast cell site, distribution, degranulation and its association with fibroblasts, lymphocytes and blood vessels were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The location of mast cells in different areas, their association with lymphocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and the phenomenon of degranulation helps to appreciate the release of various mediators and multiple interactions among these cells, leading to increased vascular permeability, angiogenic response, collagen synthesis, regulation of inflammation, bone resorption, and extracellular matrix destruction, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of these inflammatory lesions.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VS Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, e-mail: sheethalhs6@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sheethal
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, KLE Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uma
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VS Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VS Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Priya
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VS Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Umadevi
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VS Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smitha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D004396:Coloring Agents; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D017789:Granuloma, Pyogenic / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000473:pathology; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D014048:Tolonium Chloride