Inhibitory Effects of Resveratrol on Inflammatory Response in Rat Dental Pulp

To evaluate the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on inflammatory response in rat dental pulp and its influence on the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B (TLR4/NF-kappa B) signaling pathway. Thirty-six rats were divided into control, pulpitis and resveratrol groups (n=12) using a random number table. The dental pulp was cut open and added lipopolysaccharide to establish the pulpitis model, and the dental pulp of resveratrol group was covered with resveratrol paste. The pathological changes in dental pulp tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in dental pulp tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and NF-kappa B in dental pulp tissues were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The disorder and cellular inflammatory response grades of dental pulp tissues in resveratrol group were lower than those in pulpitis group (P < 0.05), but the two groups had similar grade of hard tissue formation (P > 0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and NF-kappa B in dental pulp tissues were all higher in pulpitis and resveratrol groups than those in control group (P < 0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and NF-kappa B in dental pulp tissues were all lower in resveratrol group than those in pulpi-tis group (P < 0.05). Resveratrol inhibits the inflammatory response in dental pulp tissues probably by suppressing the TLR4/ NF-kappa B signaling pathway, thereby protecting dental pulp cells.