Changes of non-specific phosphomonoesterase activity of the human dental pulp in health and disease

Abstract

Saline-soluble and detergent-soluble phosphomonoesterase activity of pulp was quantitatively assayed from freeze-dried healthy and carious human teeth. The rate of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylphosphate was measured and calculated per mg protein and per mg of the dry weight of the sample, both at acidic (possibly reflecting acid phosphatase activity, EC 3.1.3.2) and alkaline (alkaline phosphatase EC 3.1.3.1) pH values. At acidic levels, the mean values from developing teeth, teeth with enamel and dentine caries and amalgam-restored teeth were similar. A statistically-significant increase was observed for pulpitis and pulp gangrene. At alkaline pH, the rate of hydrolysis was highest in developing teeth and less after the root apex had closed. The values were even less in all the injured states compared to healthy teeth. More alkaline phosphatase is found in the dentine than in the pulp beneath peripheral tooth lesions.