Biomedical subjects

L Matsson

Publications and source records attributed to L Matsson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Relationship between fibrinolytic activity and gingival inflammatory reaction in young individuals.

The fibrinolytic system (the plasminogen activating system) is involved in several physiological and pathological processes. Through the transformation of plasminogen to the aggressive broad spectrum protease plasmin, potent enzymatic activity is released. Plasmin acts directly on connective tissue components, and indirectly by activating proforms of the metalloproteinases. The destructive potential of the fibrinolytic system may thus be of importance for the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. Earlier studies have shown high concentrations of the plasminogen activator t-PA and its inhibitor PAI-2 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as well as enhanced concentrations in areas of gingival inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between the gingival inflammatory reactivity and the fibrinolytic activity in gingival crevicular fluid. Thirty-one young individuals took part in the study. Gingival Index scores and Plaque Index scores were assessed and used to formulate a score expressing an individuals' inflammatory response to microbial plaque levels (Relative G/P score). The fibrinolytic activity of GCF was assessed with a fibrin gel lysis assay, and the levels of t-PA and PAI-2 were assayed with ELISAs. All samples showed fibrinolytic activity. A positive correlation between the fibrinolytic activity and Relative G/P score was found. Thus, in individuals with an enhanced reactivity to dental plaque, a higher plasminogen activating activity in GCF was seen. This indicates a higher potential for tissue proteolysis in these individuals, possibly facilitating spread and deeper involvement of the lesions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Oral versus rectal midazolam as a pre-anaesthetic sedative in children receiving dental treatment under general anaesthesia.

UNLABELLED: Dental treatment in children who are too young or too apprehensive to cooperate is often performed under sedation. In Sweden, the tradition has been to administer sedatives rectally in small children, but oral liquid sedation is now increasingly used. AIM: To compare the sedative effects of oral and rectal administration of midazolam in children undergoing dental treatment under general anaesthesia and to assess acceptance of sedative administration, acceptance of application of the facemask, and amnesia. METHODS: Fifty children aged 2-7 y were randomly allocated to receive either liquid oral or rectal sedation, with 25 children in each group. RESULTS: The sedative effect of rectal administration was higher, but not statistically significantly, than that of oral administration (p = 0.07). No significant differences in acceptance of sedative administration, acceptance of mask application or amnesia were found between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both the oral and the rectal routes can in most cases be appropriate. However, the better sedative effect of rectal administration of midazolam makes it a more favourable route in pre-cooperative and non-compliant children.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Increasing expression of tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 in dog gingival tissues with progressive inflammation.

Urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators (u--PA and t--PA) are serine proteases that convert plasminogen into plasmin, which degrades matrix proteins and activates metalloproteinases. The PAs are balanced by specific inhibitors (PAI--1 and PAI--2). Local production of t--PA and PAI--2 was recently demonstrated in human gingival tissues. The aim now was to investigate the production and localization of t--PA and PAI--2 in gingival tissues from dogs in three well-defined periodontal conditions; clinically healthy gingiva, chronic gingivitis and an initial stage of ligature-induced loss of attachment. At the start of the experiment the gingiva showed clear signs of inflammation. Clinically healthy gingiva were obtained after 21 days period of intense oral hygiene. Attachment loss was induced by placing rubber ligatures around the neck of some teeth. Biopsies were taken from areas representing the different conditions and prepared for in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. In clinically healthy gingiva both t--PA mRNA and antigen were expressed in a thin outer layer of the sulcular and junctional epithelia. No t--PA signals or staining were seen in connective tissue. Both mRNA signaling and immunostaining for t--PA were stronger in chronic gingivitis. In areas with loss of attachment, t--PA mRNA as well as antigen were found in the sulcular and junctional epithelia to a similar degree as in gingivitis. Occasionally the connective tissue was involved, especially in connection with vessels. PAI--2 mRNA was seen in a thin outer layer of the sulcular and junctional epithelia in clinically healthy gingiva, but no signals were seen in connective tissue. PAI--2 antigen was found primarily in the outer layer of the sulcular and junctional epithelia. Some cells in the connective tissue were stained. In gingivitis, PAI--2 signals were mainly found in the same locations, but more intense and extending towards the connective tissue. Immunostaining was seen in the outer half of the sulcular and junctional epithelia as well as in the upper part of the connective tissue, close to the sulcular epithelium. In sites with loss of attachment, PAI--2 mRNA was found throughout the sulcular and junctional epithelia, as was the antigen, which stained intensely. No PAI--2 mRNA was seen in connective tissue; the antigen was found scattered, especially near vessels. This study shows that the expression of both t--PA and PAI--2 increases with experimental gingival inflammation in the dog, and furthermore, the two techniques demonstrate a strong correlation between the topographical distribution of the site of protein synthesis and the tissue location of the antigens for both t--PA and PAI--2. The distribution correlates well with previous findings in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Dens invaginatus: a retrospective study of prophylactic invagination treatment.

AIM: To evaluate the prognosis for pulp survival in teeth with dens invaginatus (DI) subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment. DESIGN: A retrospective study by examination of dental records and radiographs. SAMPLE AND METHODS: The dental records of all patients referred to the Eastman Dental Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, with the diagnosis dens invaginatus between the years 1969-1997 were reviewed. Clinical data was collected from the dental records and the diagnosis DI was confirmed on the radiographs from the time of referral. 95 teeth in 66 patients had been subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment. The retrospective evaluation was based on an examination of the radiographs available from the follow-ups. RESULTS: 11.3% of the teeth that were followed for 6 months or longer (n = 80) were judged as failures, All failures were initially classified as Oehlers type 2. CONCLUSION: The findings stress the importance of a follow-up program for teeth subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment in order to avoid serious periradicular complications that could influence the outcome of the endodontic treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Benzodiazepines in child dental care: a survey of its use among general practitioners and paediatric dentists in Sweden.

Dental treatment in children too young or too apprehensive to co-operate is often performed under sedation. The aim of this study was to survey the use of rectal and oral liquid and tablet benzodiazepine sedation in Swedish child dentistry, and estimation of treatment success. A questionnaire was sent to 500 randomly selected dentists (GPs) working in the Public Dental Health Service and all (77) specialists (PDs) working at paediatric dentistry clinics. Benzodiazepine sedation was used by 73% of the GPs and 97% of the PDs. Seven per cent of the GPs and 87% of the PDs had sedation sessions at least once a month. Of the GPs, 60% administered the sedation rectally, 7% orally in liquid form, and 39% orally in tablet form. For PDs, the corresponding figures were 97%, 78%, and 68%. Sixteen per cent of the GPs and 84% of the PDs used midazolam for rectal sedation. PDs rated rectal sedation better than the GPs (p < 0.001). GPs rated their experiences of rectal sedation as better the more frequent the use (p = 0.03), as did PDs concerning oral liquid sedation (p = 0.03). Thus, it seems that a more regular use of sedation is advantageous in achieving better treatment outcome.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Localization of plasminogen activators and plasminogen-activator inhibitors in human gingival tissues demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

The plasminogen-activating system plays an important part in tissue proteolysis in physiological as well as pathological processes. Plasminogen activators u-PA (urokinase) and t-PA (tissue) as well as the inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2 are present in gingival crevicular fluid in concentrations significantly greater than in plasma. This fact, and the finding that the concentrations of t-PA and PAI-2 are higher in areas with gingival inflammation, indicate local production of these components. The present study describes, by means of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the localization of the plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in gingival tissues from patients undergoing periodontal surgery. t-PA mRNA and t-PA antigen were primarily found in the epithelial tissues, predominantly in the sulcular and junctional regions, although occasionally in the oral epithelium and in blood vessels of the connective tissue. u-PA and u-PA-receptor signals were seen in single cells within the junctional and sulcular epithelia and adjacent to blood vessels close to the junctional epithelium, but rarely in the oral epithelium. Similar to t-PA, the predominant location of PAI-2 mRNA was the gingival epithelia. In the junctional and sulcular epithelia, PAI-2 mRNA was seen throughout the thickness, while in the oral epithelium the strongest signals were seen in stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum. PAI-1 mRNA was invariably found in the connective tissue associated with blood vessels. The present study confirms earlier indications of local production of plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in gingival tissues. In addition, the results demonstrate that t-PA and PAI-2 in these patients are produced predominantly in the epithelial tissues. Furthermore, the presence of t-PA and PAI-2 seems to be most pronounced in the areas likely to be subjected to bacterial assault.

Gingiva↗

PubMed1998

Main sensory neuropeptides, but not VIP and NPY, are involved in bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement in the rat.

During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) a remodeling of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the alveolar bone occurs. We have recently observed that the expression of CGRP and substance P (SP) increases in the PDL and dental pulp in response to buccally directed OTM of the upper first molar in the rat. We have now examined whether there is also an involvement of VIP and NPY in this type of OTM. A sectional arch wire cemented to the upper incisors exerted an orthodontic force, mediated by a coil on the lingual side of the tooth, for 24 hours. It was observed that the blood vessels in the periodontal ligament were supplied with VIP- and NPY-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibers, whereas VIP-IR nerve fibers in contrast to NPY-IR fibers were only occasionally observed in the dental pulp. No significant changes were observed in response to OTM. The observations suggest that VIP and NPY, in contrast to the main sensory neuropeptides CGRP and SP, are not involved in the tissue processes that occur in the remodeling of PDL and alveolar bone during orthodontic tooth movement.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Glucose concentration in parotid saliva after glucose/food intake in individuals with glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus.

The concentration of glucose in parotid saliva was measured after glucose/food intake in two separate studies (A and B). In Study A, 10 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 10 subjects with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes and 12 healthy controls were included. Study B comprised 15 subjects with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes on insulin treatment, nine subjects with Type 2 diabetes on treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs and 12 healthy controls. After a 10-h overnight fast, the participants in Study A were given a 75 g oral glucose load, while those in Study B received a standardized breakfast. Citric acid-stimulated parotid saliva was collected up to two hours after the intake. Capillary blood and gingival exudate samples were also taken. On the basis of AUC values (area under the curve over baseline), the glucose concentration in parotid saliva increased significantly in individuals with IGT and Type 2 diabetes compared with controls in Study A and in diabetic patients on treatment with insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs compared with controls in Study B. No effect by the glucose/food intake on the glucose concentration in gingival exudate could be demonstrated in any of the studies. The correlation coefficient between the AUC values of glucose in saliva and blood, when all three groups were combined, was 0.38 in Study A and 0.52 in Study B. It is concluded that the concentration of glucose in parotid saliva is elevated at least 2 h after glucose/food intake in individuals with both IGT and manifest diabetes mellitus.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1997

Periodontal health in adopted children of Asian origin living in Sweden.

In the present study the periodontal condition of a group of adopted 6-17 year-old children of Asian origin living in Sweden was compared with that of age- and sex matched Sweden children. Thirty-one Asian children and 31 Swedish children participated. Data on general health for all the children and on age at arrival for the Asian children was collected by interview. A clinical examination included recording of presence of plaque, supragingival calculus, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and caries. Radiographs were used to determine marginal bone loss (distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the marginal bone level > 2 mm), proximal calculus, and proximal caries. In addition, previously taken and filed radiographs of the primary dentition of the older children and current radiographs of the younger children with primary teeth were analysed to determine the prevalence of bone loss and calculus. The children of Asian origin showed a significantly higher number of surfaces with plaque and bleeding on probing. No significant differences were noted in the number of individuals with probing depths > or = 4 mm, supragingival calculus, or radiographic calculus. Three of the Asian and none of the Swedish children displayed radiographic bone loss. The retrospective analysis of all available radiographs from the primary dentition showed that 9 of 29 (31%) Asian children and 2 of 29 (7%) Swedish children had experienced bone loss in primary teeth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Response theory for non-stationary ligand-receptor interaction and a solution to the growth signal firing problem.

A nonlinear, microscopic response theory, with a solution to the growth signal firing problem, is derived from a non-stationary ligand-receptor interaction. The predicted dose-response curve, which is a logistic type equation, is in striking agreement with the assessed growth data from the cell line MLA-144 of a leukemic Gibbon ape. The predicted slope, which is a non-trivial result, obtained only after summation over all orders of ligand-receptor interaction, agrees almost exactly with the experimentally assessed slope. As a direct consequence of the initial constraints, the intermolecular force becomes a function of the concentrations of the growth factor interleukin-2 and its receptor, and therefore changes sign at the definite number of receptor occupancies required to start DNA replication. This quantal threshold dynamics, concomitantly alternating with the reactant concentrations, constitutes the growth signal firing mechanism, and thereby clarifies one of the most elementary life functions which begins with the irrevocable decision to replicate DNA. The phenomenon of life is thus explained here in terms of "quantum" fluctuations, without which the transition to the S phase would not occur. The actual "quantum" of receptor activation could be identified only after a spontaneous symmetry breakdown of the model. Withdrawal from the cell cycle is explained in a similar way. Thus, in a first order approximation, the model proposed complies with all observanda and does not suffer from inconsistencies typical for stationary state type models such as a scale (EC50) defined by the affinity constant (K) which displaces the theoretically derived response curve from that assessed by several orders of magnitude.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

5-Hydroxytryptamine immunoreactivity is detectable in sympathetic nerve fibres in rat oral tissues.

The aim of this investigation was to examine if 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is detectable not only in mast cells but also in sympathetic nerve fibres in oral sites of the rat, including the periodontal ligament, pulp, palatal mucosa, and vestibular sulcus. Antibodies against 5-HT and tyrosine hydroxylase were used. Maxillae from rats were dissected free, fixed, decalcified, cut transversally, and processed for immunohistochemistry. Nerve fibres showing 5-HT-like immunoreactivity were regularly observed in the walls of the arteries and arterioles in the vestibular sulcus and the periodontal ligament. However, 5-HT-like immunoreactivity was not seen in the walls of the vessels of the palatal mucosa. Interestingly, 5-HT-like immunoreactivity coexisted with tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in the innervation of the periodontal ligament and the vestibular sulcus. Thus, the present study gives morphological correlate for the occurrence of effects of 5-HT derived not only from mast cells but also from sympathetic nerve fibres in oral tissues. The source of 5-HT in the nerve fibres as well as the functional implications of the observations remain to be determined.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Glycerol kinase deficiency in two brothers with and without clinical manifestations.

We report two brothers with glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD). The older brother had serious clinical symptoms, mental and growth retardation, abnormal skeleton, spontaneous fractures and premature loss of abnormal teeth. He and his mother had low serum phosphate levels. He had elevated serum and urine glycerol levels and GKD was found in cultured fibroblasts. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in the second pregnancy. Glycerol kinase activity was considered normal in a chorionic villus sample of the foetus. After birth, it was found that the boy had elevated serum and urine glycerol levels. Enzymatic analysis in cultured fibroblasts revealed that this boy also had GKD, in spite of having no expression of the disease. Chromosomal analyses in the parents and both boys were normal. Major rearrangements or deletions were not detected in molecular studies of DNA from the two brothers. The hybridisation pattern was normal and no allelic loss was observed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1996

Effect of local application of delmopinol hydrochloride on developing and early established supragingival plaque in humans.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of delmopinol hydrochloride on the development of dental plaque and on newly established plaque. In addition, the influence of this compound on the composition of the microbiota colonizing the gingival mucous membrane was studied. 14 healthy male volunteers took part. After a 3 week pre-experimental period of intense oral hygiene, the participants refrained from all oral hygiene for 14 days. The buccal surfaces of cuspids and bicuspids on one side of the jaws were treated with a 1% aqueous solution of delmopinol hydrochloride (applied with a paint brush) 2 x a day for 7 days, while the contralateral side received placebo solution. On day 7, the application procedures were changed in that the test compound was applied on the teeth previously treated with placebo and vice versa. Plaque development was assessed clinically and by photo-based planimetric determination. The clinical recordings revealed that 89.3% of the placebo-treated surfaces displayed visible plaque on day 7, compared to 6.0% of the delmopinol hydrochloride treated surfaces. Delmopinol hydrochloride treatment of the previously placebo-treated surfaces resulted in a decrease in the number of surfaces with visible plaque from 89.3% on day 7 to 6% on day 14. These results were confirmed by the planimetric data. No significant change in the composition of the mucosal flora was observed during the experimental period. The present results indicate that delmopinol hydrochloride markedly reduces the formation of dental plaque on a clean tooth surface exposed to conditions which favour bacterial colonization. Furthermore, the substance appears to possess plaque-dissolving properties.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1996

Hypophosphatasia affecting the permanent dentition.

Reports on dental abnormalities in connection with hypophosphatasia almost exclusively describe changes in primary teeth. A 23-year-old man with hypophosphatasia, first diagnosed at the age of 8 months, is described; histologically and radiographically verified signs of the condition were present in the permanent dentition. The findings included a reduced level of the marginal alveolar bone supporting the upper central incisors, which had to be extracted. The molars displayed large coronal pulp chambers. Histologically, the upper incisors demonstrated abnormal root cementum, with areas of dentin resorption, as well as disturbances of the mineralization of the coronal dentin. The patient also had signs of abnormal root resorption of molars. The potential involvement of permanent teeth puts children with hypophosphatasia at risk of developing oral complications during adolescent and adult life.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Aggravation of gingival inflammatory symptoms during pregnancy associated with the concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) in gingival fluid.

Gingival inflammatory symptoms are aggravated during pregnancy. In vitro studies suggest a hormonal influence on the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2), and a disturbed balance of the fibrinolytic system could help to explain pregnancy gingivitis. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was sampled in 14 women in pregnant and post-pregnant states. The gingival condition was assessed by the gingival index of Løe & Silness (GI) and the amount of bacterial plaque by the plaque index of Silness & Løe (PI). The ratio of sites with gingivitis to sites with bacterial plaque was calculated (G/P-ratio). Antigen levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitors type 1 (PAI-1) and PAI-2 in GCF were determined with ELISAs and 17 beta-oestradiol and progesterone in serum with radioimmunoassays. For each individual the differences (delta) in hormone levels and PAs and PAIs between pregnancy and post-pregnancy were calculated. Based on differences in G/P-ratio between pregnancy and post-pregnancy, subgrouping was done into a high-reacting and a low-reacting group. For the total group, the mean G/P-ratio was 2.0 during and 1.2 after pregnancy (p = 0.064). A statistically significant correlation between delta progesterone and delta PAI-2 was noted: the higher delta progesterone, the lower delta PAI-2. No other significant correlations between hormone levels and components of the fibrinolytic system were found. For the total group of women, the concentrations of PAI-2, PAI-1 and t-PA were significantly higher during than after pregnancy. The individuals in the high-reacting group, however, showed a lower or unchanged production of PAI-2 during pregnancy, while those in the low-reacting group showed a greatly increased production. The lower inhibitory capacity in terms of a low production of PAI-2 during pregnancy in women with a higher inflammatory reaction indicates that the components of the fibrinolytic system may be involved in the development of pregnancy gingivitis and implies that PAI-2 serves as an inhibitor of importance for tissue proteolysis. The present finding contributes to the explanation of pregnancy gingivitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Expression of neuropeptides (CGRP, substance P) during and after orthodontic tooth movement in the rat.

The present study was designed to investigate the changes in patterns of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) innervation during buccally-directed orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) of the first maxillary molar in the rat. In addition, the CGRP- and SP-innervation was examined 14 and 28 days after the orthodontic force was discontinued. Comparisons were made with the innervation found in control animals. Orthodontic appliances produced a buccally directed force in the range of 20-50 g on the upper right first molar for either 24 hours or 3 days. When the orthodontic appliances were removed one group of animals were killed immediately, whereas the other groups were killed after a healing period of 14 days or 28 days. After fixation the upper jaws were decalcified, frozen, and sectioned in the frontal plane at the level of the first and second molars. The sections were processed for CGRP, SP, and routine morphology. An increase was found in the number of nerve fibres showing CGRP-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the pulp, periodontal ligament (PDL) and marginal gingivae with the fibres showing a higher intensity of immunolabelling after 24 hours or 3 days of OTM. The contralateral first upper molar showed an increase in the expression of CGRP. Fourteen days after removal of the appliances, there was still a marked CGRP-innervation of the PDL in test teeth as well as in contralateral teeth. After 28 days, a decrease in CGRP-innervation was observed, but this innervation was still more pronounced than that found in the controls. The pattern of SP-innervation changed similarly to that of the CGRP-innervation, however, the nerve fibres showing SP-LI were considerably fewer than those showing CGRP-LI at all stages and in all areas. This study suggests that CGRP- and SP-changes not only occur in the tooth exposed to buccally directed OTM, but also in the contralateral tooth and that the changes are evident for a considerable time after terminating OTM.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Periodontal and systemic findings in children with marginal bone loss in the primary dentition.

In a previous population-based study of 3896 7-9-year-old children living in Sweden, it was found that 32 children (0.8%) exhibited radiographic, periodontal bone loss at > or = 2 proximal surfaces of their deciduous teeth. In the present study, 26 of the 32 children were subjected to additional oral and systemic health examination. 20 other children without any radiographic evidence of bone loss in their primary dentition served as referents. None of the cases or the referents were detected to have any systemic disease. The frequency of bleeding and suppuration on probing, radiographic proximal calculus and probing attachment loss was higher among the cases than the referents. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitants was found subgingivally in 14 of the cases but in none of the referents. 11 of 22 cases analysed for presence of serum antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin were sero-positive compared to none of 7 referents available for analysis. Evaluation of the data from each child revealed wide variations in clinical parameters among the children in the case group. In this group, there were children with deep probing depths, probing attachment loss, suppuration on probing, proximal calculus and presence of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans, indicating current periodontitis. However, in the case group there were also children without positive signs of inflammatory disease, similar to the children in the reference group. In fact, the findings suggest that less than half of the number of individuals with > or = 2 proximal sites with bone loss had current periodontitis.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗

PubMed1995

Anatomic relationship between substance P- and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers and mast cells in the palatal mucosa of the rat.

The study describes the distribution of mast cells and of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat palatal mucosa, focusing on the anatomic relationship between these tissue elements. The maxilla of 10-14-wk-old rats was dissected free, fixed, demineralized and frozen. Consecutive sections were stained with avidin peroxidase or processed for immunohistochemistry. In order to define the correlation between nerve fibers and mast cells, double staining techniques were used. The distance between each avidin-positive mast cell and the nearest detectable nerve fiber was determined. 5-Hydroxytryptamine- (5-HT) and avidin peroxidase-positive mast cells were frequently seen in the palatal mucosa but were rarely found in the gingival area. A large number of nerve fibers showing SP- and CGRP-like immunoreactivity were seen, particularly in association with blood vessels. Some nerve fibers were located in contact with or very close to the mast cells but the vast majority of mast cells showed no close anatomic association to nerve fibers. The nerve fibers and mast cells were mainly concentrated to the same regions in the palatal mucosa where blood vessels occurred. The observations suggest that in the rat palatal mucosa the main functional relationship relates to SP/CGRP and the blood vessels, and only to a minor degree to SP/CGRP and mast cells.

Animals↗