The effect of endodontic therapy on periapical exudate neutrophil elastase and prostaglandin-E2 levels

This study aimed to investigate periapical exudate neutrophil elastase (NE) and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) levels and their relationships with clinical symptoms, and to determine the changes of their levels following first treatment visit. Periapical exudate samples were collected from the canals of 34 nonvital single-rooted teeth at two sequential treatment visits. Periapical exudate NE and PGE(2) levels were found to be higher in the presence of clinical symptoms (pus discharge, swelling) (p < 0.05). The canals of teeth with larger periapical radiolucent area (>= 1 cm) contained more PGE(2) levels than with smaller ones (< 1 cm) (p < 0.05). Periapical exudate NE levels were significantly correlated with PGE2 levels (p < 0.05), and their levels at first treatment visit did not change following root canal therapy (p > 0.05). The periapical exudate NE and PGE(2) levels may regulate periapical disease expression, but the results of this study were unable to reveal this association.