Hogg, Mark Elliott2022-06-062022-06-0619771977(OCoLC)16104721b14341086https://hdl.handle.net/2144/44594PLEASE NOTE: This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community: please click Download and log in with a valid BU account to access. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.Thesis (D.Sc.D.)--Boston University, School of Graduate Dentistry, 1977. (Endodontics)Includes bibliography.Prostaglandins have been suggested as mediators of the delayed phase of the acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible relationship of prostaglandins in pulpal and periapical inflammation. This study provides evidence for the presence of prostaglandins, specifically PGE2, in pulpal and periapical inflammatory exudates. A thorough discussion is presented of prostaglandins, their relationship, and interactions with other biologically active substances closely linked to the inflammatory response, e.g., histamine,　5-hydroxytryptamine, complement, endotoxin, etc. Suggestions for minimizing variables and the continuation and expansion of this study are discussed. Pulpal and periapical fluid samples were collected from twenty-one vital and pulpless teeth. A new and more effective method of collecting samples was devised and is presented. Samples were centrifuged and analyzed for prostaglandin E2 concentration by radioimmunoassay. Prostaglandin E2 levels were related to pathologic conditions presented by: (1) Roentgenological Groupings A (absence of periapical pathology), and B (presence of periapical pathology); and (2) Clinical Groupings I (vital, asymptomatic), II (vital, symptomatic), III (pulpless, asymptomatic) and IV (pulpless, symptomatic). In addition, evaluation of PGE2 levels were also compared to (1) appearance of samples, (2) medications taken by patients, (3) etiology of pulpal conditions, (4) subjective symptoms, (5) vitality of teeth tested, (6) thermal response, (7) percussion sensitivity, (8) palpation sensitivity, (9) presence or absence of periapical pathology, and (10) the specific tooth involved. The results of this study showed all samples assayed contained varying levels of prostaglandin E2. The concentrations of PGE2 ranged from 2-500 ng/ml, the majority of samples appeared to be markedly elevated from those expected in healthy pulpal and periapical tissues.en-USThis work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.Dental pulp diseasesProstaglandinsThesis/Dissertation