Abstract
Periapical lesions represent local immune responses to bacteria and their products emanating from the root canal system. Mast cells are recognized for their immunoregulatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of mast cells in periapical granulomas and cysts as well as to compare the specificities of toluidine blue and astra blue stains for mast cells. Thirty periapical granulomas and 30 periapical cysts were stained with the basic stains astra blue and toluidine blue. The mean mast cell count using astra blue was 37.13±18.12 in granulomas and 59.5±22.75 in cysts. The mean mast cell count using toluidine blue was 25.90±18.45 in granulomas and 41.27±26.45 in cysts. On comparing mast cell numbers, it was found that cysts contained more mast cells than granulomas. Moreover, astra blue was found to be more specific for mast cells compared to toluidine blue.
