OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger 1 (NCX1) channel protein in human odontoblasts (OD) and nervous tissue of dental pulp.

METHODSTwenty intact and healthy third molars extracted for orthodontic purpose were collected. The OD layer and nervous tissue were determined by dentin sialophosphoproteins (DSPP) antibody staining and modified Bielschowsky silver staining respectivelly. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of NCX1 protein in human dental pulp tissue. The difference of expression of NCX1 in human OD at different part of dental pulp was statistically analyzed using Image Pro Plus and SPSS software.

RESULTSNCX1 channel protein was mainly expressed on the cell body of OD, and nervous tissue of dental pulp. The expression level of NCX1 on the OD of crown pulp was higher (A = 0.146 ± 0.021) than that on the upper part of root pulp (A = 0.120 ± 0.034), but the expression difference was not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNCX1 channel protein was expressed on human OD and nervous tissue in dental pulp.

Dental Pulp ; innervation ; metabolism ; Dentin ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molar ; Odontoblasts ; metabolism ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; metabolism ; Tooth Crown