Quantitative Analysis of Catecholamines in Human Dental Pulp

Abstract

Catecholamines are important elements of neuroendocrine regulation, and their concentrations in dental pulp are of interest. Two groups of teeth were used in this study: (i) healthy teeth and (ii) periodontally diseased teeth. After the processing of dental pulp obtained from the extracted teeth, the samples were analyzed in a computer-controlled Merck-Hitachi HPLC system at 280 nm wavelength. The external and internal standard methods of the HPLC Manager Program were used for validation. In healthy teeth the norepinephrine level of dental pulp was 4.86 +/- 0.96 micrograms/g, whereas the epinephrine level was 8.1 +/- 1.18 micrograms/g. In periodontally diseased teeth norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) at 13.98 +/- 21.13 micrograms/g and 1.42 +/- 0.32 micrograms/g, respectively. Dopamine could not be demonstrated in 87% of the pulps. Summing up we succeeded in demonstrating norepinephrine and epinephrine in human pulp, but in most cases we could not demonstrate dopamine. Further investigations are needed on pulp tissue infected because of caries.

Catecholamines in healthy and inflamed pulp of primary teeth

“…The body produces them in the brain, nerve tissues, and adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are above the kidneys [11]. In 1995, Schachman and coworkers were the rst to determine the quantity of catecholamines in unin amed dental pulp [15].…”

“…After being released from storage, catecholamines attach to particular receptors on cell membranes known as adrenoreceptors [11]. The pace at which humans synthesize catecholamines rises dramatically in response to unusual stressors such as childbirth, burns, colds, hypoxia, immobilization, or physical activity.…”

“…Vasoconstriction is brought on by stimulation of the α and β-adrenoreceptors that innervate the sympathetic blood vessels of the dental pulp [11]. The vascular muscle contraction, which results in vasoconstriction, is caused by the α receptors.…”