(PR142) The Effect of Diabetes and Hypertension on Host Response and Pulpal Microbiome in Irreversible Pulpitis Patients

Objectives: Diabetes and hypertension are two of the most prevalent systemic conditions globally, often co-occurring and sharing similar risk factors. Both conditions affect the vascular system, playing a critical role in the health of the dental pulp –a tissue that is highly dependent on proper blood flow. Alterations in vascularity of the dental pulp can greatly impair its ability to respond to injury or infection. This study aims to evaluate the pulpal microbiome in patients diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or both comorbid conditions in the stages of irreversible pulpitis. Previous endodontic research has highlighted significant oral manifestations of these systemic conditions, predisposing patients to oral complications. This research seeks to further explore the role of systemic conditions in pulpal response by analyzing the effect on the microbial genome using RNA sequencing.

Methods: Pulp tissue samples were obtained from 10 teeth clinically diagnosed with symptomatic or asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis in each of the sample groups: diabetes; hypertension; and diabetes and hypertension. The total RNA from the samples was extracted and processed using Dual RNA-Seq technology to assess the transcriptome of the pulpal microbiome. The gene profiles of both the host cell transcriptome and the pulpal microbiome were analyzed and compared to those of samples obtained from 10 extracted non-carious impacted third molars.

Results: The data reveals significant alterations in both the microbiome and the transcriptome associated with the irreversible pulpitis condition in each of the systemically involved groups.

Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into host-bacteria interactions and could aid in the development of future treatments for irreversible pulpitis.