• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.387-395
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• 2009

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and sensory neuropeptides are involved in the process of nociception at peripheral nerve fibers and wide spread in central nervous system. The aims of this study were to investigate NGF and sensory neuropeptides (substance P [SP] and calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP]) levels in human plasma and saliva, and the associations between these sensory neuropeptides levels and chronic orofacial pain symptoms. NGF, SP, and CGRP levels in plasma and resting whole saliva samples collected from 67 orofacial pain patients (joint pain, dental or periodontal pain, mucosal pain) and 36 pain free control subjects were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The characteristic pain intensity of each subject was measured using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale and the flow rate of resting whole saliva was measured. Joint pain patients group showed significantly higher plasma NGF level compared to each of dental pain patients (p<0.01), mucosal pain patients (p<0.01), and control group (p<0.01). Plasma NGF level of dental pain patients group was significantly higher than that of control group (p<0.01). Saliva SP level of dental pain patients group (p<0.05) and saliva CGRP level of mucosal pain group (p<0.05) were significantly higher than that of control group. Plasma and saliva SP levels of joint pain patients was significantly associated with pain intensity (plasma: standardized coefficient=0.599, p<0.01, saliva: standardized coefficient=0.504, p=0.05). In dental pain patients group, plasma SP (standardized coefficient=0.559, p<0.01), saliva SP (standardized coefficient=0.520, p<0.01) and saliva CGRP (standardized coefficient=0.599, p<0.01) levels were significantly associated with age. In mucosal pain patients group, plasma SP (standardized coefficient=0.495, p<0.05), saliva SP (standardized coefficient=0.500, p<0.05), and saliva CGRP (standardized coefficient=0.717, p<0.01) levels were significantly associated with age. NGF and neuropeptides may play a role in the maintenance of various orofacial pain symptoms. The examination of those levels in plasma and saliva helps understanding the mechanism of orofacial pain, and furthermore, can be applied to the diagnosis and therapy of orofacial pain.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2006

We investigated the secretion of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) from ginviva and periodontal ligament stimulated with Substance P (SP) and Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP). Gingiva (GF), periodontal ligament (PDLF) and pu)p (PF) tissues were collected from extracted intact 3rd molars. Cultured cells were stimulated with different concentrations of SP for 4 hrs, and stimulated with SP, CGRP and Tumor Necrosis Factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) for 8 hrs. Then RNase Protection Assay was carried out. ELISA was performed using supernatants of stimulated cells for quantitative analysis of IL-8. Results were assessed using student t-test with significance of P<0.05. According to this study, the results were as follows: 1. IL-8 mRNA was detected in all type of cells studied (PF, GF and PDLF) 2. IL-8 mRNA expression was not increased after stimulating 4 hrs with SP ($10^{-5}M$) and SP ($10^{-8}M$) compared with Mock stimulation in all type of cells studied. 3. IL-8 mRNA expression was not increased after stimulating 8 hrs with SP ($10^{-4}M$) and CGRP ($10^{-6}M$) compared with Mock stimulation in all type or cells studied. 4. TNF-$\alpha$ (2 ng/ml) increased the expression of IL-8 mRNA in all kind of cells studied. 5. The secretion of IL-8 from GF was increased 8 hrs after the stimulation with CGRP ($10^{-6}M$)(p<0.05). 6. The secretion of IL-8 from PDLF was. increased 8 hrs after the stimulation with SP ($10^{-4}M$)(p<0.05). Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) increased Interleukin-8 (IL-8) which plays an important role in chemotaxis of neutrophil in Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) gingival tissue , whereas Substance P increased the secretion of IL-8 from periodontal ligament.