Protein content in irrigating solutions in contact with pulp tissue.

Endodontic irrigating solutions may have different effects, one of which is dissolving pulp tissue. The capacity of different irrigants to dissolve vital and necrotic pulp tissue was evaluated in vitro by means of a quantitative and qualitative study of total soluble pulp protein. Vital pulps and pulps with induced necrosis from young bovine teeth were used. Pulp was cut into smaller pieces, weighed and placed in 1 ml of 1% and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, 1% and 5% calcium hydroxide, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% tea and distilled water as a control, and kept at 37 degrees. Samples of 20 microl were taken at 30 and 90 minutes and 20 hours. Total protein was dosed using the Lowry method and soluble protein bands were determined by electrophoresis (12% SDS-Page). The results were analyzed using Anova. Chemical analysis of the electrophoretic runs of bovine pulp protein showed that both concentrations of sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide produce denaturation of proteins. No solvent action was found with chlorhexidine, tea or distilled water.