Enumeration of viable Enterococcus faecalis, a predominant apical periodontitis pathogen, using propidium monoazide and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

To discriminate between viable and non-viable Enterococcus faecalis, the predominant pathogen in apical periodontitis, a real-time PCR method combined with propidium monoazide (PMA) was developed and evaluated. PMA had no antimicrobial effect on E. faecalis cells and permitted enumeration of both viable and non-viable cells.

Bactericidal Effects of Diode Laser Irradiation on Enterococcus faecalis Using Periapical Lesion Defect Model.

Objective. Photodynamic therapy has been expanded for use in endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of diode laser irradiation on endodontic pathogens in periapical lesions using an in vitro apical lesion model.

Effects of hyaluronic acid sponge as a scaffold on odontoblastic cell line and amputated dental pulp.

It is important to develop a suitable three-dimensional scaffold for the regeneration therapy of dental pulp. In the present study, the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) sponge on responses of the odontoblastic cell line (KN-3 cells) in vitro, as well as responses of amputated dental pulp of rat molar in vivo, were examined. In vitro, KN-3 cells adhered to the stable structure of HA sponge and that of collagen sponge.

Ozonated water improves lipopolysaccharide-induced responses of an odontoblast-like cell line.

Introduction: It is important to develop an antimicrobial agent without any damage on dental pulp. In the present study, we examined whether pretreatment of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with ozonated water (O(3)aq) improves LPS-induced responses of rat odontoblastic cell line, KN-3.

Methods: After the pretreatment of LPS with O(3)aq, effects of LPS and O(3)aq-treated LPS on cell viability; calcification ability; expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha); and activation of p38 of KN-3 cells were examined.

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on newly established rat dental pulp-derived cell line with odontoblastic properties.

To clarify mechanisms of pulp wound healing and regeneration, it is important to establish continuous odontoblast-lineage cell lines. In this study, we established the proliferating pulp progenitor cell lines from dental papilla cells of rat incisor. These cell lines showed high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, expression of Runx2 and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and extracellular formation of mineralized nodules.

Effects of sequential exposure to lipopolysaccharide and heat stress on dental pulp cells.

In the present study, we examined the effects of sequential exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and heat stress on dental pulp cells. LPS induced the proliferation of pulp cells through the activation of p38 MAPK. HSP27 was expressed in cells with or without LPS during the entire period of heat stress, while transiently phosphorylated by short-term heat stress.

Thermotolerance of pulp cells and phagocytosis of apoptotic pulp cells by surviving pulp cells following heat stress.

Apoptosis is known to be associated with wound healing and regeneration of dental pulp. We examined the effects of heat stress on clonal dental pulp cell line (RPC-C2A cells) to clarify the pulp wound healing process. RPC-C2A cells were exposed to heat stress at 43 degrees C for 45 min.

Antimicrobial effect of ozonated water on bacteria invading dentinal tubules.

Ozone is known to act as a strong antimicrobial agent against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In the present study, we examined the effect of ozonated water against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptcoccus mutans infections in vitro in bovine dentin. After irrigation with ozonated water, the viability of E.