Evaluation of polypeptide growth factors in the process of dental implant osseointegration.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentration of three polypeptide growth factors: transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in the blood of patients treated with Italian Logos system implants. The blood for analysis was collected three times: prior to the surgery, the day after and four months after the procedure before implant exposure for the prosthetic phase. The concentration of growth factors was assayed using ELISA method with R&D kits. The mean serum PDGF concentration on the first day and after 4 months following the procedure were comparable to the preliminary examination. The mean serum concentration of TGF beta in the second examination increased significantly compared to that before surgery. Four months later its mean concentration was lower than in the second examination, but still higher than in the preliminary examination. The mean serum FGF concentration in our patients remained similar throughout the study. Based on presented above data we conclude that inflammation process caused by tissue injure during implantation stimulates TGF beta release what can be detected by increase of it's concentration in blood serum.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of periodontal therapy using enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcome following the application of enamel matrix derivative--Emdogain in the treatment of the bone defects due to periodontitis. The study included 25 generally healthy patients with advanced periodontitis. Clinical and radiographic examination was carried out twice: before the procedure and a year after treatment. The following clinical parameters were evaluated: probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and gingival recession (GR). Defect depth, width and bone defect fill were assessed on the radiographs. A year after surgery the follow-up examination found a significant improvement of clinical parameters. The mean depth of gingival pockets was reduced from 8.76 +/- 1.74 mm to 4.52 +/- 1.56 mm. The mean CAL value was also decreased from 10.72 +/- 1.56 mm to 7.82 +/- 1.68 mm. Analysis of radiographs showed a statistically significant reduction in depth and width of bone defects. Our results indicate a good clinical and radiographic effect following the application of Emdogain in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.

Serum levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients treated with dental implants.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of proinflammatory interleukins (IL)--IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 in the blood of patients subjected to dental implant anchorage procedures. The study involved 10 generally healthy people aged 27-52, 4 men and 6 women. The patients were characterised by normal oral hygiene and lack of clinical symptoms of oral inflammation. Surgical procedures used Italian Logos system dental implants. The blood for analysis was collected three times: prior to surgery, one day and four months after the procedure before implant exposure. Interleukin levels were assayed with the ELISA method. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using Wicoxon's test. In all the cases examined soft tissue healing following the procedure was uneventful. The three consecutive examinations revealed similar IL-1 blood levels. Mean serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 increased significantly in the second examination and returned to the close-to-initial values after 4 months. Increase of blood serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the first day after implantation reflects local inflammation process caused by tissue impair.

Interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and their soluble receptors in the blood serum of patients with denture stomatitis and fungal infection.

Determinations of the blood serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and their soluble receptors (sIL-6R, sTNFR) in denture stomatitis patients (DS) were performed. Serum levels of interleukins and their soluble receptors were measured using the ELISA method. In all examined patients mycological diagnostics were conducted using API 20C AUX stripe tests and an automatic ATB machine. Results were compared with those of healthy denture wearers (D), and controls (C). In DS patients, yeasts were isolated in 90.9%, in D in 66.7% of cases. The most often isolated species in both groups was Candida albicans. Mean concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were statistically significantly higher in DS and D groups compared to controls. Mean concentrations of sIL-6R were similar in all groups; however, concentrations of sTNFR in both DS and D groups were significantly lower compared to controls. There were no correlations found between values of IL-6 and TNF-alpha nor between examined interleukins and their soluble receptors.

Polypeptide growth factors in the course of surgical periodontal treatment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the behaviour of certain polypeptide growth factors in patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) during periodontal therapy using alloplastic grafts. Concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblastic growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) were assayed in blood serum and saliva. Significant differences in the behaviour of growth factors in blood referred to EGF and PDGF. Their mean concentrations in serum of RPP patients were higher both in the preliminary examination and in the final investigation after 3 months compared with control group. However, mean FGF concentrations in serum were significantly higher only in the distant examination. In saliva, the concentrations of EGF, PDGF and FGF were not significantly different compared with control group. Salivary TGF beta in patients with RPP was significantly higher than in controls and increased in the final examination. The differences observed in the concentrations of growth factors in the serum and saliva of patients with RPP indicate that these factors can be involved in inflammation, destruction and regeneration of periodontal tissues.

An assessment of the structure of perception in people with bruxism.

The aim of the study was to assess the structure of perception in people with bruxism. 50 people with a diagnosis of bruxism (B), in whom primary evidence of oclusal disharmony and temporomandibular disorders were excluded, were included in the study. The control group (C) consisted of 50 people with no evidence of parafunctional abnormalities of the chewing mechanism. Shalit's diagram was used to assess the structure of perception. The primary indices: discriminability (D), articulation (A), affective load+ (AL+) and affective load- (AL-) and secondary indices: reduction (R), emotionality (E), intensity (I) were derived from Shalit's diagram. A significant reduction in the mean value of the primary indices D and AL+ was noted, as well as in the secondary indices E and I in people with bruxism, in comparison to the control group. Assessment of the structure of perception in people with bruxism through the analysis of the primary and secondary indices, makes it possible to predict behavior which has a negative effect on the individual's own health and provides the opportunity for changing such behavior to be more pro-health oriented.

Interleukin 6 and its soluble receptor in periodontitis.

The paper presents the evaluation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 6 soluble receptor (sIL-6R) values in the blood serum of patients with various forms of periodontitis (P), as confronted with local state. The study involved a group of 15 patients with P, including 4 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP), 10 with adult periodontitis (AP) and 1 with juvenile periodontitis (JP). The concentration of IL-6 and its soluble receptor in blood serum were assessed using the immunoenzymatic ELISA method. The clinical state was estimated with the following periodontal indices: plaque index (PI), oral hygiene index (OHI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing pocket depth and probing attachment loss. The P group showed an insignificant decrease in the IL-6 level in serum and a significant increase in sIL-6R concentration, compared with controls. A correlation was found between the level of IL-6 and PI, OHI and SBI.