(PR83) Gene Expression Profile in Pulpal Tissue in Patients with Diabetes or Hypertension With/without Pulpitis

Abstract: Patients with diabetes or hypertension are prone to developing oral complications, mainly periodontal disease. Dental pulps from patients with diabetes or hypertension have the tendency to present with limited dental collateral circulation, impaired immune response, and increased risk of acquiring pulpal infection. The aim of this study was to compare gene transcriptome profiles of inflamed and uninflamed dental pulps in patients with and without diabetes or hypertension to identify the associated gene profiles in human dental pulp with and without irreversible pulpitis. Pulp samples were obtained from patients with and without diabetes or hypertension presenting to Endodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Pulp tissues were removed from the canal space and specimens were placed in a numbered test tube that contained RNAlater Stabilization Solution. Total RNA was then isolated from the specimens using an RNA Zymo research isolation kit. Measurement of gene expression was performed with RT-qPCR. The statistical values were analyzed by student t-test. Results showed that inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β was upregulated in healthy patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) compared to normal pulp. Patients with diabetes or hypertension with SIP had a significantly higher level of IL-1β compared to healthy patients with SIP. Additionally, pericyte markers were down-regulated in patients with diabetes or hypertension compared to healthy patients. Diabetes mellitus or hypertension causes upregulation of IL-1β and down-regulation of pericyte markers.