Figure 1. Expression of mRNAs and proteins for iNOS and the mineralization-related genes in the pulp after tooth preparation. (A) At various time-points after tooth preparation, the pulp was collected, and RT-PCR was performed for iNOS, ALP, PC-1, DSPP, DMP, and GAPDH. The first lane is the control without tooth preparation. The other lanes show mRNA expressions at 0.05, 1, and 6 hrs after tooth preparation. -RT is the negative reverse-transcription control with GAPDH primers. The same results were obtained in 3 separate experiments. (B) Western blot analyses of pulp tissue for iNOS, DSP, and ß-actin were performed before (–) and 3 hrs after tooth preparation (+). NS, non-specific band.