The local Schwartzman phenomenon and human dentin permeability to endotoxin

Abstract

The local Schwartzman phenomenon is a thrombotic hemorrhagic reaction that develops in response to local preparatory administration followed by intravenous provoking injection of endotoxin. This study investigated permeability of coronal dentin to endotoxin. Cavities were prepared in human dentin discs and received either 10 μg or 100 μg Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin or pyrogen-free water over the cavity floor. The cavities were then restored with a glass ionomer cement. The discs were implanted in rabbits' abdominal skin. The rabbits also received intradermal injections of 10 μg and 100 μg endotoxin and pyrogen-free water. 18 h after implantation/injection, a provoking intravenous injection of endotoxin was administered and the animals were terminated 6 h later. Intradermal injection of both doses of endotoxin elicited LSP in all rabbits. In the majority of specimens, endotoxin at 10 μg and 100 μg dosage did not permeate dentin to elicit LSP.