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Immunoreactive evidence of beta-endorphin and methionine-enkephalin-Arg-Gly-Leu in human tooth pulp
Q C Robinson1, J T Killmar, D M Desiderio
1Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
Abstract:
For the first time, beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BE-LI) has been measured in human tooth pulp. Separation of peptides from pulp tissue was achieved by acid extraction followed by chromatographic separation through a Sep-Pak disposable cartridge. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) was performed on the peptide-rich fractions for further peptide separation. Radioreceptor assay (RRA) data of the HPLC fractions was used to construct a profile of opioid-receptor active peptides. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) data provided further information. Following acute mechanical stress, a monotonic decrease in BE-LI concentrations was evident according to a four bicuspid extraction order.