Effect of intracanal medicaments on matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vasoactive intestinal peptide secretion in periapical lesions of re-treated canals: a randomized controlled clinical study

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH] 2 ) and chlorhexidine (CHX) gel on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) secretion in periapical lesions. Materials and methods A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups that were to receive different medications. Pre-and post-treatment samples were collected from the interstitial fluid of periapical lesions using sterile paper points. VIP and MMP-9 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and the data were statistically analyzed. Results Gender and smoking habits had no effect on the pre- and post-treatment VIP and MMPs levels. Intragroup analyses revealed that in the Ca(OH) 2 group, the post-treatment VIP level was found to be significantly higher than the pre-treatment VIP level. In the CHX group, the post-treatment MMP-9 level was significantly higher than the pre-treatment MMP-9 level. Conclusion According to the results of the present study, the type of the medication affected the amount of periapical VIP and MMP-9 secretion. Clinical relevance VIP is a neuropeptide that promotes new bone formation. Thus, intracanal Ca(OH) 2 medication may accelerate the repair process of bone tissue.