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Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Butyric acid modulates periodontal nociception in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontitis
Naoki Murakami1, Kenji Yoshikawa2, Kohei Tsukada2
1Department of Periodontology, Nihon University School of Dentistry.
Purpose:
Periodontitis progresses with chronic inflammation, without periodontal pain. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well known. Here, the involvement of butyric acid (BA) in periodontal pain sensitivity in Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis)-induced periodontitis was examined.
Methods:
P. gingivalis was inoculated into the ligature which was tied around the molar (P. gingivalis-L) and the gingival mechanical head withdrawal threshold (MHWT) was measured. Following P. gingivalis-L, the expressions of orphan G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons were examined. The amount of gingival BA was analyzed following the P. gingivalis-L and the changes in the MHWT in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-injected gingival tissue by gingival BA were examined. The changes in the MHWT following P. gingivalis-L by gingival GPR41 antagonist (HA) were examined.
Results:
No change in the MHWT was observed, GPR41-immunoreactive TG neurons were increased following P. gingivalis-L. The gingival BA amount increased following P. gingivalis-L, and the gingival BA suppressed the decrease in MHWT following CFA. HA decreased MHWT following P. gingivalis-L.
Conclusion:
Gingival BA modulates periodontal mechanical nociception via GPR41 signaling in P. gingivalis-L-induced periodontitis.

