Estimation of proteolytic activity of subgingival microflora of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to estimate the proteolytic activity of subgingival microflora of diabetic and non-diabetic individividuals as an attempt to clarify the role of these enzymes which are produced by some Gram + ve and Gram - ve bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontal tissue destruction in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Clinical indices and microbiological parameters were determined of 39 adult patients their age ranged from 35-65, 18 diabetic [non-insuline dependent diabetes mellitus] and 21 non-diabetics. The clinical results demonstrated the significant increase in all gingival clinical parameters in diabetics comparing with the non-diabetics. Microbiologically, staphylococcus aureus, micrococcus sp., Gram - ve bacilli and yeasts showed higher percentage of isolates in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. Thus diabetic status may, not only affect the clinical aspect of the gingival tissue of the diabetic patients, but may also modify microbial plaque activities