Localization And Distribution Of Cyclooxygenase-2 And Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Human Dental Pulps

ObjectsCOX-2 is considered to be associated with chronic inflammatory disorders. In fact it has been indicated that COX-2 is concerned with inflammatory PG production in several inflammatory diseases. VEGF is a glycoprotein that has the capability to increase vascular proliferation and permeability. VEGF expressing has been found to be induced by several inflammatory mediators. Several studies have shown that COX-2 and VEGF has been implicated in the initiation and progression of gingivitis to periodontitis. In relation of pulpal disease, there was few information of COX-2 and VEGF. The aim of this study was an evaluation of COX-2 and VEGF in normal healthy and inflamed dental pulps.Materials and Methods25 pulpal tissue specimens were obtained from the extracted molars of 16 patients, while 40 inflamed pulp was obtained from the teeth of chronic pulpitis. Immunostaining for COX-2 and VEGF was performed in normal healthy pulps and in chronic pulpitis, respectively. The samples were analyzed by Metamorph imaging analyzing system.ResultsThere was no COX-2 positive expression in healthy pulps, while strongly expression was found in inflamed pulp tissue. The COX-2 positive cells were pulpal fibroblast cells, inflammatory cells and endothelial lining cells of the blood vessels. The intensity of VEGF expression in inflamed pulps is evidently stronger than in healthy pulps( p < 0.05 ). The VEGF positive cells were pulpal fibroblastcells, inflammatory cells and endothelial lining cells of the blood vessels. The COX-2-positive and VEGF - positive in the same tissue samples showed a lower degree of positive correlation( r = 0. 39 ).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that pupal fibroblasts, as well as inflamed cells , endothelial cells of vessels, may participate in the production of prostaglandin through COX-2 expression in pulpal inflammation, and might be involved in the pathogenesis of irreversible pulpitis. VEGF-positive expression in healthy pulps can maintain normal microvessels functions. VEGF is probably a factor in the e-tiology and progression of chronic pulpitis. The cooperation of these two would lead up to the further progression of pupal inflammation.