ROLE OF SYMPATHETIC NERVE ON THE CONTROL OF MICROCIRCULATION IN THE FELINE DENTAL PULP

고양이 치수에서 교감신경에 의한 미세순환조절에 관한 기능적 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional involvement of sympathetic nerve in the control of the microcirculation in the dental pulp with the aim of elucidation of the involvement of neuropeptides and sympathetic nerve in neurogenic inflammation. Experiments were done on the 7 cats anesthetised with sodium pentobarbital, and sympathetic nerve to the' dental pulp was stimulated electrically (10 Hz, 4 V, 1.5 ms, 3.5 mins). Ana-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine and a neuropeptide Y antagonist D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate (PP56) were injected close intra-arterially into the dental pulp without changing the systemic blood pressure. The probe of laser Doppler flowmeter was placed on the buccal surface of ipsilateral canine teeth to the stimulation, and pulpal blood flow was measured. Stimulation of the sympathetic nerve decreased pulpal blood flow by $55.24{\pm}7.74\;%$ (mean${\pm}$SEM, n = 13). Stimulation of the sympathetic nerve following the injection of the ${\alpha}$-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine ($0.1{\mu}g$/kg) caused decrease of pulpal blood flow by $14.35{\pm}3.43%$ (mean${\pm}$SEM, n=5). Phentolamine attenuated the sympathetic nerve-induced pulpal blood flow decrease by $74.02{\pm}9.32%$ (mean${\pm}$SEM) Stimulation of the sympathetic nerve following the injection of the neuropeptide Y antagonist PP56 (2.3 mg/kg) caused decrease of pulpal blood flow by $30.64{\pm}7.92%$ (mean${\pm}$SEM, n=6). PP56 attenuated the sympathetic nerve-induced pulpal blood flow decrease by $44.37{\pm}11.01%$ (mean${\pm}$SEM). These data provide evidences of the co-contribution of nerepinephrine and neuropeptide Y on the sympathetic nerve-induced vasoconstriction in the feline dental pulp. In addition, they show functional evidences that sympathetic nerve plays an active role in controlling the microcirculation of the dental pulp.