Alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and ATPase activity in the molar region of the mouse

Evaluation of pH and calcium ion release at the simulated external root resorption cavities of teeth obturated with bioceramic sealer

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pH and calcium ion release at the outer dentin surface of simulated external root resorption cavities after root canals obturated with bioceramic root canal sealer compared with those medicated with calcium hydroxide.

Materials and Methods

Sixty extracted human single‐rooted teeth were selected and instrumented. External root resorption cavities were prepared at the lingual surface of the root. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Bioceramic sealer group, canals were obturated with gutta‐percha and BioRoot sealer; (2) Calcium hydroxide group, canals were medicated with UltraCal XS; (3) Control group, canals were left empty. Thirty specimens were used for evaluation of pH at 7, 14, and 28 days (n = 10 per group) and the other 30 specimens were used for evaluation of calcium ion diffusion at 28 days (n = 10 per group).

Results

Calcium hydroxide group showed the highest median pH value at all time points (7, 14, and 28 days). Both calcium hydroxide and bioceramic sealer groups showed significantly higher median pH values compared with control (p < .001). Comparing within groups, both bioceramic sealer group and calcium hydroxide group showed significantly decreased median pH over time, while the median pH of the control did not show any significant difference among Days 7, 14, and 28. Both calcium hydroxide and bioceramic sealer groups had significantly higher calcium ion release than control. Notably, bioceramic sealer group showed significantly higher calcium ion release than the calcium hydroxide group (p < .01).

Conclusions

Root canals obturated with gutta‐percha and bioceramic sealer showed high calcium ion levels at the simulated external root resorption cavities but did not show an extended period of alkaline pH.

cAMP- and Ca2+-independent activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channels by phenylimidazothiazole drugs

Patch-clamp, iodide efflux, and biochemical techniques were used to evaluate the ability of phenylimidazothiazoles to open normal and mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels and to investigate the mechanism of activation. As reported previously for bromotetramisole, levamisole activated wild-type CFTR channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells in the absence of other secretagogues and without elevating intracellular cAMP or calcium. The protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor N - (2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesul-fonamid e abolished activation by forskolin but only partially inhibited stimulation by levamisole, suggesting the involvement of other kinases. CFTR channels bearing mutations at multiple phosphorylation sites, in the membrane domains, and in the first nucleotide binding domain (including the disease-causing mutations G551D and DeltaF508) all responded to phenylimidazothiazoles. Moreover, levamisole and bromotetramisole increased the activity of wild-type and mutant channels already exposed to PKA + MgATP, consistent with the inhibition of a constitutive, membrane-associated phosphatase activity. We conclude that phenylimidazothiazole drugs can open normal and mutated CFTR channels by stabilization of phosphoforms of CFTR that are produced by basal activity of PKA and alternative protein kinases. If similar stimulation is observed in humans in vivo, phenylimidazothiazoles may be useful in the development of pharmacological therapies for cystic fibrosis.

An evaluation of sealing ability of calcium hydroxide sealers

Solid core filling material such as gutta-percha has been used to fill the root canal in conjunction with a sealer to prevent apical leakage. The purpose of this study was to compare apical seal of five different root canal sealers. Sixty roots of maxillary central incisors were cleansed and shaped and randomly assigned to one of six groups of ten roots each. The root canals were obturated with gutta-percha and one of the sealers by the lateral-vertical condensation technique. Groups I, II, III, IV, and V consisted of roots in which the canal was filled with gutta-percha along with either Roth's sealer, AH26, Sealapex, CRCS, or Nogenol sealer, respectively. Group VI was filled with gutta-percha and without sealer to serve as a control. The access opening was filled with amalgam. Each tooth was then placed in a capped vial containing 2 X 2 inch gauze pads saturated with distilled water, and the sealer was allowed to set at 37 degrees C in the humidor for 48 hours. The roots, except for the apical 2 mm, were coated with two layers of nail polish. The roots were stained with india ink, decalcified, dehydrated, and then placed in methylsalicylate to make them transparent. The leakage was measured with a filar micrometer eyepiece under a dissecting microscope. The mean apical leakage of six groups was as follows: I = 0.45 mm, II = 0.277 mm, III = 0.343 mm, IV = 0.263 mm, V = 0.336 mm, and VI = 2.310 mm. Results showed no significant difference in the apical seal produced by gutta-percha and the tested root canal sealers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Survival of the cortical bone columella in ear surgery

Twenty-six partial and twenty-four ossicular replacement grafts were removed from patients because of hearing problems, cholesteatoma or re-perforation. The ossicles had been inserted in the middle ear between 7 and 121 months. The removed grafts were analysed with histology, enzyme histochemistry and, in 5 cases, tetracycline labelling. The results demonstrated that the majority (78%) of the grafts consisted at the time of removal of a mixture of living and dead bone. In 13% of the cases there were no indications of bone survival, while 9% of the removed grafts were found to consist of mainly vital bone. It is concluded that the fate of ossicular replacement grafts resembles that previously described for cortical bone grafts used in orthopaedic surgery.

Ultracytochemical demonstration of ATP-dependent calcium pump in ameloblasts of rat incisor enamel organ

The enamel organ of the growing rat incisor was fixed with a mixture of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde and processed for ultracytochemical demonstration of Ca- and Mg-activated membrane ATPase by a one-step lead technique at alkaline pH. To inhibit nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, 5 mM levamisole was added to the incubation media. Intense Ca- and Mg-ATPase activity was demonstrated in the cell surfaces of the secretory ameloblasts, except at the proximal and distal junctional complexes and the gap junctions in the lateral and basal cell surfaces. Deep plasma membrane invaginations at the proximal and distal parts of Tomes processes facing interrod- and rod-enamel growth regions exhibited the strongest enzymatic reaction. Mg-ATPase activity was also shown to be present in the plasma membranes of secretory ameloblasts but it was less intense than Ca-ATPase. Except for a slight reaction in the Golgi membranes, all other cell organelles of the secretory ameloblasts and the adjacent enamel matrix were free of enzymatic reaction. However, when the tissues were incubated in media lacking levamisole, a prominent enzymatic reaction was observed in the newly secreted enamel matrix of the rod and interrod growth regions as well as on the plasma membranes of the cells. In maturation ameloblasts of both ruffle-ended and smooth-ended types, a weak reaction for Ca- and Mg-ATPase was restricted to basal cell surfaces facing the papillary cell layer. In tissues incubated in media lacking levamisole, a variable deposition of reaction products was observed in the Golgi membranes, mitochondrial membranes, tubular elements of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the ruffled border zone, and along the plasma membranes of the ruffled border. Throughout the secretory and maturation stages, a moderate and/or weak enzymatic reaction for both Ca- and Mg-ATPase was seen in the plasma membranes of the cells of the stratum intermedium and the papillary layer when incubated in media with levamisole. Omission of substrate ATP and/or the enzyme activator CaCl2 from the incubation media for Ca-ATPase produced a negative reaction in the tissues examined. When the calmodulin blocker trifluoperazine was administered to the rats intravenously, Ca-ATPase activity was almost completely abolished from the plasma membranes of secretory ameloblasts, but not of other cell types.

An attempt at localizing adenylate cyclase in rat calvaria. Influence of sodium fluoride and parathyroid hormone

To show adenylate cyclase (AC) activity in rat calvaria, it is necessary first to decalcify the specimen. In hard tissues, several enzymes (adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), alkaline phosphatase (APase), adenylate cyclase (AC) and perhaps pyrophosphatase (PPiase) are able to degrade adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The presence of sodium fluoride (NaF) in the incubation medium reduces the quantity of precipitate formed, compared to that observed using a NaF-free incubation medium. Levamisole, used under the same conditions, gives similar results. Possibly NaF inhibits pyrophosphohydrolase and/or phosphatases which mask the AC activity. Adenylylimidophosphate (AMP-PNP), which is a specific AC substrate, confirms the results obtained with ATP. AC activity is demonstrated cytochemically in the osteoblast and preosteoblast membranes, at the junction between two osteoblasts and along the cytoplasmic processes of the osteoblast which penetrate into the osteoid matrix. The osteocytes never show a precipitate, except those which present some osteoblastic features and then only on the membrane facing the osteogenic layer. An intracellular reaction is also evident and is discussed. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) does not reveal new sites of AC activity but increases the quantity of precipitate observed.

Ultrastructural localization of adenosine triphosphatase in the stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the mouse molar

ATPase activity in the developing first mandibular molar of the mouse was demonstrated at the electron microscopic level with the method of Wachstein & Meisel (1957). It was localized along the cell surfaces of the ameloblast and stratum intermedium interface, the stratum intermedium and the stellate reticulum. The ATPase final reaction product was also present at the cell membranes of the proximal region of adjacent ameloblasts and extended to the level of the nuclei. The demonstration of ATPase mainly on the plasma membranes was similar to the observations by other investigators of various non-odontogenic cell types involved in the exchange of materials across plasma membranes.

A clinical pilot study on preformed autologous ossicles. II

A research project concerning performed autologous ossicles has been going on for more than ten years. Animal experimental studies were followed by a clinical pilot study which showed that bone could be produced in a titanium mould placed in the proximal tibia metaphysis. In the present investigation, in which another five patients were operated on, the experimental design was changed compared to the first pilot study and bone production was improved. In addition to the tibial moulds ten titanium cylinders were placed around a bony bridge prepared in the linea temporalis of the ear to be reconstructed. Nine out of ten of these cylinders contained bone suitable for ossiculoplasty. Histology showed higher osteocyte density and a higher proportion of vital looking osteocytes in the performed grafts compared with a peroperatively sculptured graft of cortical bone. On histochemical investigation the performed graft cells seemed viable at the time of transplantation. The technique for obtaining a preformed autologous ossicle through the titanium cylinders in the temporal bone was easy to perform and the patients did not experience any discomfort. The risk of infection in this area was judged to be small.

The preformed autologous bone graft. An experimental study in the rabbit

The preformation of bone grafts involves a two-step procedure. Primarily a mould is inserted in the donor bone. After a healing period of about 6 weeks (rabbits) the mould is removed. The performed bone graft (PBG) consists of the former cortical bone that has remodelled according to the shape of the mould. PBGs are today used clinically in selected cases of mandibular reconstruction. The present paper is the first in an animal experiment series investigating the PBG. It is shown that the PBG vascular supply is rearranged towards a more marrow-dominated circulation. Six weeks after the mould installation the bone showed evidence of accretion in the form of new-developed bone protrusions along the inner mould walls. A histochemical investigation revealed that the PBG surface cells survived the surgical trauma in a higher percentage than was the case when corresponding control grafts were examined.

Electron microscopic localization of 5'-nucleotidase in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts

5'-nucleotidase was demonstrated at the fine structural level in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the first mandibular molars of CD-1 mice. The enzyme was localized with the Wachstein & Meisel (1957) method along the plasma membranes of the cells of the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts. While 5'- nucleotidase was present throughout the stratum intermedium, only the proximal region of the plasma membranes of ameloblasts was demonstrably active for this enzyme. 5'-Nucleotidase has been implicated in transport of metabolites across cell membranes, and its localization in the present study supports this implication as well as the transport functions of the stratum intermedium and the stratum intermedium--ameloblastic interface.

Chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible. Histologic and histochemical findings

The histologic features of chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible were studied. Four different types of tissue reaction were found to be characteristic of the disease. Histochemical recordings were used in an attempt to facilitate differential diagnosis. Similar types of fibro-osseous lesions and biopsy technique are discussed.

Adenosine triphosphate catabolism in homogenates of rat secretory enamel organs incubated in histochemical lead media

To investigate how lead, when used as trapping agent, influences the ATP hydrolysis and to study how ATP is catalyzed in histochemical systems, homogenized secretory enamel organs were incubated in histochemical [3H]-ATP media. Aliquots from the media were taken after 3, 10, 20 and 30 min, the ATP and formed metabolites were separated by electrophoresis and radiometrically quantitated. In media lacking both lead and homogenate 2% of the ATP was spontaneously hydrolyzed during 30 min incubation at room temperature. The presence of lead caused an additional 8% hydrolysis at pH 7.2 and an additional 20% hydrolysis at pH 9.4. In the presence of homogenate, however, lead caused a net decrease of the hydrolysis of ATP as well as of ADP and AMP. This enzyme inhibition varied from around zero to some 80%, depending on pH and substrated involved. In homogenate-containing lead media, at both pH 7.2 AND 9.4, ATP was rapidly hydrolyzed primarily to ADP and subsequently to AMP and adenosine and/or inosine. After 5--10 min ADP constituted the predominant substrate at both pH:s. At pH 7.2 ADP remained so for the rest of the incubation, whereas at pH 9.4 AMP was predominant substrate at the end of the incubation. AMP was the finan catabolic product in experiments at pH 7.2, and adenosine and/or inosine at pH 9.4. Inorganic phosphate was liberated almost linearly during the whole incubation period. The results indicate that histochemical studies of substrate specific ATP-ases should be performed with short incubation times and, when high specific activities are present, in large quantities of incubation media to reduce interference by ADP and AMP hydrolyzing enzymes.

Adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis in rat dental tissues. A histochemical study to differentiate the enzymes involved

The purpose of this study was to try to differentiate histochemically between the various enzymes which may catalyze the hydrolysis of ATP in developing rat dental tissues. Freeze cut and freeze dried sections of molar and incisor teeth were incubated in lead capture-based media at pH 5.0, 7.2 or 9.4 with one of the following substrates: beta-glycerophosphate, AMP, ADP, ATP, AMP-PNP and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. To establish the enzymatic nature of the hydrolysis parallel sections were incubated after prior fixation in either formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. By comparing the enzymatic stainings obtained with the various substrates and at the different pH:s, it was concluded that ATP can be visibly hydrolyzed in rat dental tissues by alkaline phosphatase (stratum intermedium, apical part of maturation ameloblasts, basal part of all ameloblasts, odontoblasts and subodontoblastic layer), specific ATPase (apical and basal parts of secretory ameloblasts) and ATP pyrophosphatase and/or adenylate cyclase (stratum intermedium, odontoblasts). Acid phosphatase, specific ADPase, 5'-nucleotidase, inorganic pyrophosphatase, 3':5'-cyclic-AMP-phosphodiesterase and adenylate kinase on the other hand, seem not to be engaged in the ATP hydrolysis to such a degree as to complicate the interpretation of the histochemical staining. The alkaline phosphatase part of the ATP hydrolysis appeared to be rather insensitive to aldehyde fixation, while the hydrolysis effected by specific ATPase and ATP pyrophosphatase and/or adenylate cyclase was extinguished after fixation with formaldehyde for 4 h or glutaraldehyde for 10 min.

The presence of alkaline phosphatase in the subchondral bone of the medial tibial condyle in the normal state and in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

A study has been carried out on the alkaline phosphatase activity in trabecular bone in the normal state, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Samples were taken from the subchondral bone of the medial tibial condyle in all cases. The reason for this study was to investigate whether changes in rheumatoid bone like trabecular microfractures and healing reactions were parallelled by a mineralization process which could be demonstrated by an increased alkaline phosphatase activity and compared to that in osteoarthritic and normal bone. This investigation disclosed that the alkaline phosphatase activity in rheumatoid bone did not differ much from either osteoarthritis or normal bone.

The inhibition of alkaline phosphatase by L-p-bromotetramisole

A levamisole analogue, the L-p-bromotetramisole is introduced as a potent inhibitor of non-specific alkaline phosphatase. Complete inhibition is achieved cytochemically at a concentration of 0.1 mM in various rat tissues except the intestine, which is not affected. The D-p-bromotetramisole does not influence the alkaline phosphatase activities. Since no effect of the inhibitor is seen on the activities of specific phosphatases, this drug is recommended also as an additive for specific phosphatase media in order to yield the specific activity only.