Effects of Procaine Concentration and Duration of Contact on Oxygen Consumption in Bovine Dental Pulp

¹ Department of Stomatology, College of Dentistry, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

This investigation was concerned with the effects of 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 per cent procaine hydrochloride solutions on the rate of oxygen consumption in bovine dental pulp over 5-hour periods. Except for the indistinguishable effects of the 1.00 and 2.00 per cent solutions, the rate of respiration was depressed approximately in proportion to the concentration of the drug. The continuing decline in respiration throughout the 5-hour period of the experiments with all concentrations of procaine employed suggest that this drug can be lethal to tissues if sufficient time is allowed for its action.