ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Little research has been documented to determine the CD34 positive cells in healthy periodontium, chronic periodontitis and in chronic periodontitis with diabetes mellitus individuals. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the CD34 positive progenitor cells of the gingiva in patients with healthy periodontium, chronic periodontitis and chronic periodontitis with Diabetes Mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 75 patients were divided into 3 groups which included Group I (healthy periodontium), Group II (chronic periodontitis) and Group III (chronic periodontitis with diabetes mellitus). Periodontal examination included Plaque index, Gingival index, Gingival bleeding index, Probing pocket depth and Clinical attachment levels. Gingival biopsies were collected from each participant and they were fixed in formalin embedded in paraffin which was later subjected to immunohistochemical procedure with anti-CD34 (a stemness marker). T-Test and Regression analysis (R-square) was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The mean number of CD34 positive cells were higher in group III (5.71±1.97) compared to Group chronic periodontitis group I (4.98± 2.08) and II (4.48± 1.24). CONCLUSION: Although CD34 is a non specific stemness marker, results suggest that there is a significant difference in the number of CD34 positive progenitor cells between Group II and Group III but no significant difference was observed between Group I, II and Group I, III.
