Sodium channel Na_v1.8 immunoreactivity in painful human dental pulp

• Main Authors: Tate S (Author), Plumpton C (Author), Yiangou Y (Author), Renton T (Author), Bountra C (Author), Anand P (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2005-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel Na_v1.8 (SNS1/PN3) is expressed by nociceptors and may play a role in pain states.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using specific antibodies for immunohistochemistry, we studied Na_v1.8 - immunoreactivity in human dental pulp in relation to the neuronal marker neurofilament. Human tooth pulp was extracted from teeth harvested from a total of twenty-two patients (fourteen without dental pain, eight patients with dental pain).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fibres immunoreactive for Na_v1.8, were significantly increased on image analysis in the painful group: median (range) Na_v1.8 to Neurofilament % area ratio, non-painful 0.059 (0.006-0.24), painful 0.265 (0.13-0.5), <it>P </it>= 0.0019.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Na_v1.8 sodium channels may thus represent a therapeutic target in trigeminal nerve pain states.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1472-6831-5-5
1472-6831