Concentration of collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13) in patients with chronically inflamed dental pulp tissue.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) form an enzyme family capable of degrading almost all extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM) components. They play an important role in normal tissue remodelling and growth, as well as in many destructive pathological conditions such as inflammation, tumour growth and metastasis. The role of MMPs in the breakdown of pulp tissue of teeth with pulpitis has not yet been directly elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tissue levels of collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13) and their distributions in the clinically healthy and chronically inflamed human dental pulps of 30 patients, aged 15-70 years. Twenty pulps were collected from subjects diagnosed with chronic pulpitis, and 10 control pulps were obtained from 10 subjects following molar extraction for orthodontic reasons. The levels of collagenases were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results reveal that levels of collagenases were significantly higher in chronically inflamed vs. clinically normal pulps. Overall, these results show that MMPs play an important role in ECM destruction during the inflammatory processes of pulpitis, as well as reflecting the special characteristics of them. This investigation opens a new opportunity for one contemporary method for the diagnosis of pulp inflammations and monitoring of the inflammatory processes.

Venostasis test as a method of choice to evaluate blood fibrinolytic capacity during third molar surgery.

The aim of our research was to evaluate the fibrinolytic capacity during oral surgical interventions - operative extraction of semi-impacted third molars having caused blood fibrinolysis activity. With the intention of establishing the condition of the blood vessels' endothelium before oral surgical interventions, the influence of surgical procedures upon the endothelium, and the response of the endothelium after interventions, the venostasis test (venous stasis) was conducted in all the subjects. This test measures the global fibrinolytic activity of the plasma, caused by anoxia. In order to realize the aim, the first blood sample was taken before the beginning of the test, and then the indicated oral surgical intervention was performed. Immediately after the completion of the surgery, the venostasis test was carried out, lasting for five minutes, and right after the test a second sample of blood was taken. Using the method of fibrin plates, the level of the activators and inhibitors of the plasminogen was established afterwards. The average values of the pro activators and inhibitors of fibrinolysis from the venostasis test, in all subjects, showed increased values compared to the same ones in the control group, in all researched relations. Statistically, a significant difference was established after interventions were performed. These findings support the fact of possible damage to the blood vessels' endothelium and a change of the fibrinolytic capacity in the perioperative period of third molar surgery.