CGRP Release from Human Tooth Slices

Odontalgia, or toothache, is one the most common and severe types of pain a person experiences, with prevalence estimates between 12-33%. Odontalgia affects work and school attendance, disrupts sleep and interferes with eating and drinking. Objectives: The goal of this study is to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms contributing to odontalgia by evaluating the pharmacological profiles of TRPM8, TRPA1, and TRPV1, all of which are members of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family, and are important for thermodetection and inflammation. This knowledge will provide insight into whether these receptors are targets for managing odontogenic pain of pulpal origin. Methods: Extracted teeth were collected from the Oral Surgery Clinic at NYU College of dentistry.  The teeth were quickly sectioned into 2-mm slices using a low-speed saw to expose the pulp. The tooth slices were tested for basal release of CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) and then stimulated with either capsaicin, menthol, or allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). CGRP was measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results: Capsaicin evokes a 2.32 fold increase in CGRP release from human tooth slices (p<0.05).   The weight of the pulp tissue correlates with the total CGRP content. Conclusion:  Future studies will determine whether other TRP agonists can elicit CGRP release. Ongoing research is aimed at optimizing the sensitivity of our assay, so that multiple analytes can be simultaneously measured.