Specific Aims: Utilize an experimental animal (monkey) model system to develop a diagnostic means to evaluate pulpal inflammation subsequent to caries using cellular mediators. Specifically to: 1. Induce the formation of carious lesions in Macaca cynomolgus monkeys by providing a high carbohydrate human diet. 2. Characterize the carious lesions microbiologically at designated natural carious lesion depths. 3. Measure, using immunoassays, the levels of cellular mediators (Polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN-E) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) of inflammation in dentinal fluid of healthy teeth and those with characterized carious lesions. 4. Via immunoassays and immunoelectronmicroscopy, determine the levels ad relative distribution of cellular mediators in the pulpal tissue of healthy teeth and those with characterized carious lesions. 5. Determine the degree of inflammation histopathologically in the pulps of the carious and normal teeth. 6. Determine if there is a statistical relationship among the levels or distribution of cellular mediators in dentinal fluid, the dental pulp, the causative microorganisms, and the degree of histopathologic pulpal inflammation. Ultimately, this program intends to develop a precise diagnostic techniques to accurately access the degree of pulpal inflammation and tissue destruction that occurs subsequent to defined levels of carious insult. This will enable us to accurately predict the pulp's ability to recover from defined levels of carious insult. Further, these finding may lead to the design of measures which will be able to reduce, control or ultimately inhibit, pulpal inflammation as a result of carious insult.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Unknown (K15)
Project #
1K15DE000350-01
Application #
2128799
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Project Start
1993-12-15
Project End
1998-12-14
Budget Start
1993-12-15
Budget End
1994-12-14
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
003255213
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201