Critical role of NFATc1 in periapical lesions

Aim To observe NFATc1 expression in experimental periapical lesions in rats. Methodology Apical periodontitis was induced in Wistar rats by occlusal pulp exposure in mandibular first molar teeth. After exposure, 30 rats were killed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The jaws that contained the first molar were removed and prepared for histological examination, immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry. Results From day 0 to day 28, the areas of periapical bone loss and the number of NFATc1-positive cells increased, peaking on day 28. The number of TRAP-positive cells increased substantially from day 0 to day 14 and then gradually decreased from day 14 to day 28. Conclusions NFATc1 was detected and possibly involved in the inflammatory response and bone resorption of periapical tissues, as well as being associated with periapical lesion pathogenesis.