Abstract

The 5-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid such as leukotrienes (LT) B4 and C4, are potent mediators of inflammation. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the concentrations of LTB4 and LTC4 in human periradicular lesions. Specimens from asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were obtained and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Periradicular tissues from unerupted third molars as well as chronically inflamed gingival tissues were also obtained, frozen and were used as negative and positive controls respectively. The concentrations of LTB4 and LTC4 were determined by the reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Representative samples from each group were fixed in formalin, sectioned, and stained by using hematoxilin and eosin. Extremely low levels of LTB4 and LTC4 were detected in the uninflamed periradicular samples in comparison to those found in chronically inflamed gingival tissues as well as asymptomatic and symptomatic periradicular lesions. A significant statistical difference was noted between the concentration of LTB4 in symptomatic lesions compared to those found in asymptomatic lesions and chronically inflamed gingival tissues (P < .05). In addition, a positive correlation was found between the presence of symptoms, the concentrations of LTB4, and presence of PMN leukocytes in symptomatic patients. No significant statistical difference was found between the levels of LTC4 in periradicular lesions of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and that detected in chronically inflamed gingival tissues. The results indicate that LTB4 plays a significant role in pathogenesis of symptomatic periradicular lesions.

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Mahmoud Torabinejad

Second Advisor

Timothy T.K. Jung

Third Advisor

George M. Lessard

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1990

Date (Title Page)

12-1990

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Tooth Root -- pathology; SRS-A -- analysis

Type

Thesis

Page Count

2 ii; 75

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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