Estimation of superoxide dismutase levels in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid among smokers and non-smokers in periodontitis patients - an observational study

Background: Smoking, which is an important risk factor for periodontitis, induces oxidative stress in the body and causes an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). The present study was done to quantify and compare the level of SOD enzyme levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva among smokers and nonsmokers. Methodology: One hundred and thirty-five individuals in the age range of 20­55 years, including 45 light smokers, 45 heavy smokers, and 45 nonsmokers (controls), were selected and the clinical parameters recorded were plaque index, probing depth, and attachment loss. Smokers were divided into light smokers (<10 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes/day) and into three subgroups: healthy, mild periodontitis, and moderate periodontitis. GCF and saliva samples were collected then SOD levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay. Results: The mean levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of smokers were decreased compared to controls. Intra- and inter-group analyses showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of heavy smokers compared to light smokers and the control group. Conclusions: There was a progressive reduction in SOD levels from healthy nonsmokers to light smokers to heavy smokers

Prevalence of six Periodental Pathogens in Rwandan Women's Gingival Crevicular Fluide

Periodontium or periodontal tissues; are tissues that surround; support and maintain the teeth in the maxillary and mandibular bones. Like other tissues; the periodontal tissues are subject to a number of diseases. The most periodontal pathogens associated with periodontal disease are Tannerella forsythia check for this species in other resources ; Porphyromonas gingivalis check for this species in other resources ; Treponema denticola check for this species in other resources ; Prevotella Intermedia check for this species in other resources ; Fusobacterium nucleatum check for this species in other resources and Agregatibacter actinomycetemcomutans check for this species in other resources . Female hormones have been suggested to play an important role in periodontal disease infection. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of the above periodontal pathogens associated with periodontal disease in a population of Rwandan women. This study requested the participation of randomly selected women admitted in the department of obstetric-gynecology of the teaching hospital of Butare in Rwanda. Gingival crevice fluid was collected from four teeth (16; 26; 36; 46) with filter paper strips by inserting the strips into the base of the pocket for one minute per tooth. PCR was used for the detection of the presence of the 6 target bacteria in GCF. F. nucleatum was the most prevalent with 86.2 ; P. intermedia (73.5); T. forsythia (47.6 ); A. actinomycetemcomutans (45 ); P. gingivalis (28.4) and T. denticola with (24.3 ). One hundred and eighty six (93.0 ) of the patients harboured at least one of the six periodontopathogens. This study showed that there is an urgent need to improve oral health care and research in Rwanda; on the African continent in general and especially in women who are more exposed to periodontal diseases than men