Immunohistochemical Observation on the Distribution and Morphological Changes of GAP-43 Positive Structures in the Formation of Experimental Apical Periodontitis of Rat Molars

Apical periodontitis is a disease frequently observed, inducing discomfort. Nerves in periodontal ligament may be involved the appearance of this symptom. Nerve endings are reportedly stained with anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody or anti-growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) antibody. Previous studies investigated kinetics structures positive for various antibodies on formation apical periodontitis, but no study has examined any GAP-43 immunoreactive structure. The purpose was to experimentally induce rat molars and examine changes structure ligament. Using 10-week-old male Wistar rats, mesial root lower right first molar investigated. After general anesthesia, canal pulp exposed, kept open 2, 4, 6 weeks. mandible involving decalcified, paraffin-embedded according conventional methods prepare sections 5 µm thick. Hematoxylin eosin (H-E) staining immunohistochemistry anti-GAP-43 were conducted. morphology an immunopositive examined, its expression per unit statistically In control group, reaction observed 1/3 area side. Morphologically, thin, short thick branches noted. experiment only few branches. Furthermore, localized area. We compared percent between groups. There significant difference at point. This showed that distribution existing changed presence suggesting these related discomfort associated periodontitis.