Effect of drug-eluting nanoparticles (prednisolone) on injured pulp, in vivo

Abstract

Treatment of irreversible pulpitis is focused on removing the affected tooth structure including the pulp. Pharmacologic treatments may only help control symptoms of pulpitis. This study evaluated the effect of prednisolone-eluting nanoparticles on inflamed pulp in rat teeth. 48 adult rat molar teeth received cavity preparations. After 2 weeks of exposure, only one half of the group received prednisolone. Pulp tissues were harvested at 2, 4, and 24 weeks for PCR to obtain levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, PDGF-α, and TGF. The results were compared at the three time points with 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Prednisolone-eluting nanoparticles significantly reduced the level of TGF (F = 4.435, p ≤ .041) but did not significantly affect the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and PDGF-α.