β-defensinas como posibles indicadores de la actividad inflamatoria en la enfermedad periodontal / β-defensins as possible indicators of inflammatory activity in periodontal disease

Resumen La enfermedad periodontal (gingivitis y periodontitis) es un proceso inflamatorio ocasionado por la actividad de bacterias patógenas y sus productos sobre el surco gingival, con la consecuente activación de la respuesta inmunitaria. La saliva y el fluido crevicular contienen una gran variedad de enzimas y factores antimicrobianos que están en contacto con la región supragingival y subgingival; entre ellos, las β-defensinas (hBDs). Las hBDs son péptidos catiónicos no glicosilados ricos en cisteína, producidos por las células epiteliales; tienen efecto antimicrobiano e inmunorregulador; de esta forma, contribuyen al mantenimiento de la homeostasis en los tejidos periodontales. Los cambios en la microbiota y en la respuesta inmunitaria de un periodonto sano a gingivitis y, finalmente, a periodontitis, es compleja. Su severidad depende de un equilibrio dinámico entre las bacterias asociadas a la placa, factores genéticos y ambientales. Los avances recientes han permitido comprender la implicación de las hBDs en la detección, el diagnóstico y la terapéutica de la enfermedad periodontal, así como la relación que hay entre la periodontitis y otras enfermedades inflamatorias. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir el efecto de las hBDs en la respuesta inmunitaria y su utilización como marcadores de la actividad inflamatoria de la enfermedad periodontal.

Abstract Periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) is an inflammatory process caused by the activity of pathogenic bacteria and their products on the gingival sulcus, with the consequent activation of the immune response. Saliva and crevicular fluid contain a wide variety of enzymes and antimicrobial factors that are in contact with the supragingival and subgingival region, including β-defensins (hBDs). hHBDs are non-glycosylated, cysteine-rich cationic peptides produced by epithelial cells with antimicrobial and immunoregulatory effects, thus contributing to maintaining homeostasis in periodontal tissues. The changes in the microbiota and the immune response from a healthy periodontium to gingivitis and, finally, to periodontitis are complex. Their severity depends on a dynamic balance between bacteria associated with plaque, genetic and environmental factors. Recent advances have made it possible to understand the implication of hBDs in the detection, diagnosis, and therapy of periodontal disease and the relationship between periodontitis and other inflammatory conditions. This review aims to describe the effect of hBDs on the immune response and its use as a possible marker of the inflammatory activity of the periodontal disease.

Changes of plaque microflora during experimental gingivitis / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To observe the changes of plaque microflora during the experimental gingivitis and to analyze the relationship between the plaque microflora and the clinical parameters.Methods:11 young male subjects with healthy gingiva and without systemic disease were selected.Subgingival plaque samples(2 sites /person)were collected and then smeared by Gongo red at baseline(0 day),the 7th,14th,21st day(without oral hygiene)and 28th day(7 days after reestablishing oral hygiene)respectively during experimental gingivitis.At the same time the clinical parameters were recorded.The results of smear and the clinical parameters were analyzed.Results:The percentage of spirochete was the lowest at the baseline and increased during the experimental gingivitis,and then reached the highest level on the 21st day.The percentage of spirochete of the 21st day showed the significant different compared with that of baseline(P0.05)Conclusion:Spirochete is correlated to the development of the gingivitis.

The Effects of the Mixture of Herbal Extract on Developing Plaque and Gingivitis / 대한치주과학회지

This double-blind controlled clinical and microbiological study was carried out to determine the effects of mouthwash preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract on developing plaque and gingivitis in the experimental gingivitis model. Following a 2-week normalization period, 34 dental students were distributed randomly into 1 of 3 treatment groups. They rinsed, under supervision, two times daily for 3 weeks with either normal saline(CT), 0.1% chlorhexidine(CH), or the mixture of herbal extract (HT), but refrained from any oral hygiene measures. The Plaque Index(PlI), the Gingival Index(GI), and the amount of Gingival Crevicular Fluid(GCF) were measured at week 0, 1, 2, and 3 of the experimental period, while the assessment of total wet weight of plaque and the phase contrast microscopic examination of plaque were performed at the end of experimental period(3 weeks). Subjects using mouthrinse preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract demonstrated negligible, if any, changes in the accumulation and microbial composition of plaque compared to those using normal saline, while the reduction of gingival inflammation by this mixture was highly significant and comparable to that of chlorhexidine. The results of this study indicate that the preparation containing the mixture of herbal extract do not provide any antiplaque benefits but is very effective in inhibiting the development of and in reducing existing experimental gingivitis when used as mouthrinse. Further research is needed to determine whether a significant reduction of gingival inflammation without a concomitant decrease in plaque accumulation is of clinical importance.