Importance of degranulated mast cells in oral pyogenic granuloma

Mast cells (MCs) are large granular mononuclear cells which are bone marrow derived, they are found in different tissues and also they can move. Degranulation of MCs is caused by various stimulus .Oral pyogenic granuloma is a recognized oral lesion that possibly originate as a response of tissue, it is suggested that local factors can activate MCs resulting in mediators releases that finally bring about pyogenic granuloma. This study was aimed at determining the average intact and degranulated mast cell count in oral pyogenic granuloma. 50 paraffin blocks of oral pyogenic granuloma was selected. Slides stained with 1% toluidine blue were prepared and MCs numbers were studied with light microscope. The average numbers of total and degranulated MCs were calculated 11.87 and 9.62 respectively. The percent of degranulated MCs was measured about 80%, this finding is really remarkable and can introduce MCs as an effective factor in the pathogenesis of oral pyogenic granuloma. By mast cells careful considerations, it seems that pyogenic granuloma represents a reactive lesion resulting from local etiological factor like gingival inflammation, calculus or trauma which activate mast cells leading release of mast cell mediators which further results in subsequent changes in the tissue leading to formation of pyogenic granuloma.