The Effect of Lipoteichoic Acid from Lactobacillus plantarum on Dental Pulp Inflammation

Lactobacillus plantarum, a bacterium located in deep caries, has a virulence factor in the form of lipoteichoic acid (LTA), which is found in the bacterial cell wall. LTA is able to trigger a neutrophils response in the dental pulp inflammation process within the first 6 to 24 hours. The quantity of bacteria is one factor influencing the increase in number of neutrophils in addition to the quality of the bacteria. This study seeks to analyze the effect of lipoteichoic acid of Lactobacillus plantarum (LTA-Lp) in the dental pulp inflammation by observing the number of neutrophil cells in a histopathological view.

The LTA was isolated from L. plantarum. The left upper molar of Rattus novergicus was mechanically perforated under anesthesia to induce dental pulp inflammation. The perforated tooth was then induced by 10 and 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and then restored by a temporary filling. The perforated tooth in the control group was only restored by a temporary filling. After 24, 48, and 72 hours, the tooth was extracted and then stained with hematoxylins and eosin to observe the neutrophils in the dental pulp via a light microscope.

The number of neutrophils in the dental pulp after induction by 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp is higher than 10 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and both controls. There were significant differences in the number of neutrophils in the dental pulp, in each group on 24, 48, and 72 hours after LTA-Lp inducing (p < 0.05).

The LTA-Lp dose of of 10 and 15 µg/mL affected the dental pulp inflammation by affecting the number of neutrophils.