Evaluation of Inflammatory Mediators, Pulpal Blood pH, and Oxygen Saturation in Teeth with Pulpitis

Although traditional diagnosis of pulp inflammation relies on subjective clinical and sensibility tests that lack precision, emerging objective methods such as biomarker measurement and pulse oximetry show promise in accurately assessing pulp vitality and differentiating stages of pulpitis; however, these techniques still face technical challenges and require further validation through laboratory analyses.

This study investigated selected biomarkers in pulpitis by analyzing clinical and laboratory examinations from patients aged from 19 to 55 undergoing endodontic treatment. Patients were divided into test groups (reversible/irreversible pulpitis) and a control group (healthy teeth). Clinical assessments included pulse oximetry measurement and pulpal blood collection for biomarker and pH analysis. Five inflammatory mediators (interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1)) were evaluated using a Luminex multiplex assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 30.0, employing both parametric and nonparametric tests with a significance level of P ≤ .05.

Several investigated markers exhibited significant differences among the groups. The levels of SpO₂ and pH were highest in the control group and lowest in in cases of irreversible pulpitis. Additionally, the levels of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 increased with the severity of pulpitis. Significant correlations were identified between inflammatory mediators, pH, and pulse oximetry. Notably, IL-1α, IL-8, and TIMP-1 correlated with pH (P < .01), and pulse oximetry was strongly associated with IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 across all groups (P < .01).

The values of inflammatory mediators (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9, TIMP-1), along with the pulp blood pH and oxygen saturation levels differed according to the pulp condition and a positive correlation was established among the parameters analyzed.