Expression of Toll-like receptor 2, Dectin-1, and Osteopontin in murine model of pulpitis.

OBJECTIVES: This in vivo animal study aimed to develop a murine model of pulpitis induced by pulp exposure with or without application of zymosan in Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice and observe expressions of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, Dectin-1, Osteopontin (OPN), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 168 NMRI mice were divided into two groups, i.e., group A (n = 84) (pulpitis induced by pulp exposure only) and group B (n = 84) (pulpitis induced by pulp exposure and zymosan application). Right maxillary molar pulps were exposed with » round bur, and animals were sacrificed at 0, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The exposed teeth were obtained for real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. RESULTS: Histological evaluation revealed a time-dependent steady increase in inflammation. Similar time-dependent increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines was noted. Group A exhibited an increase in TLR-4, Dectin-1, and OPN at 6 h, while TLR-2 was expressed at 24 h. Group B expressed TLR-2, Dectin-1, and OPN at 9, 48, and 72 h, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Expression of OPN and TNF-α exhibited a similar pattern in both groups. IHC also detected expression of TLR-2, Dectin-1, TLR4, and CD68 in some cells at 6 and 9 h. CONCLUSIONS: NMRI mice provided for a stable pulp inflammation model. Zymosan may be used to develop pulp inflammation model and study inflammatory response towards fungal antigens. Dental pulp expressed Dectin-1 receptor. OPN and TNF-α exhibited a similar expression pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Innate immunity of dental pulp is capable of detecting fungal pathogens.

Coixol amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via cAMP mediated signaling pathway.

Recently, we reported the role of coixol (6-methoxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone), an alkaloid from Scoparia dulcis, in glucose-dependent insulin secretion; however, its insulin secretory mechanism(s) remained unknown. Here, we explored the insulinotropic mechanism(s) of coixol in vitro and in vivo. Mice islets were batch incubated, perifused with coixol in the presence of agonists/antagonists, and insulin secretion was measured by ELISA. Intracellular cAMP levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay. K+- and Ca2+-currents were recorded in MIN6 cells using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The in vivo glucose tolerance and the insulinogenic index were evaluated in diabetic rats treated with coixol at 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Coixol, unlike sulfonylurea, enhanced insulin secretion in batch incubated and perifused islets at high glucose, with no effect at basal glucose concentrations. Coixol showed no pronounced effect on the inward rectifying K+- and Ca2+-currents in whole-cell patch recordings. Moreover, coixol-induced insulin secretion was further amplified in the depolarized islets. Coixol showed an additive effect with forskolin (10 µM)-induced cAMP level, and in insulin secretion; however, no additive effect was observed with isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, 100 µM)-induced cAMP level, nor in insulin secretion. The PKA inhibitor H-89 (50 µM), and Epac2 inhibitor MAY0132 (50 µM) significantly inhibited the coixol-induced insulin secretion (P < 0.01). Furthermore, insulin secretory kinetics revealed that coixol potentiates insulin secretion in both early and late phases of insulin secretion. In diabetic animals, coixol showed significant improvement in glucose tolerance and on fasting blood glucose levels. These data suggest that coixol amplifies glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by cAMP-mediated signaling pathways.