ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a membrane-derived lipid mediator formed from arachidonic acid. LTB(4) is among the most potent stimulants of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and, thus, participates in tissue injury by recruiting PMNs in a pathophysiologic scenario of periodontal diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between clinical parameters and concentrations of LTB(4) within gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from inflamed gingiva and periodontitis sites before and after the treatment of periodontitis. METHODS: Sixty subjects were divided into three groups with 20 subjects in each group: healthy (group 1), gingivitis (group 2), and chronic periodontitis (group 3). Groups were based on periodontal disease index (PDI), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and radiographic evidence of bone loss. Group 4 consisted of the subjects in group 3 at 6 to 8 weeks after treatment, i.e., scaling and root planing (SRP). GCF samples collected from each patient were quantified for LTB(4) using an enzymatic immunometric assay. In addition, the correlation between in situ LTB(4) levels and clinical parameters was analyzed in each group. RESULTS: The highest mean LTB(4) concentration in GCF was observed in group 3 (185.2 pg/microl), and the lowest was observed in group 1 (39.6 pg/microl). Its level in group 3 decreased to 79.35 pg/microl after treatment (group 4). Further, GCF LTB(4) levels in all groups showed a statistically significant positive correlation with PDI and CAL (P <0.005). CONCLUSION: The substantial increase in GCF LTB(4) concentrations with the severity of periodontal disease and a concomitant decrease in its level following SRP in subjects with periodontitis suggest a possible role for LTB(4) in the progression of periodontal disease.
Subject(s)
Gingival Crevicular Fluid/chemistry , Gingivitis/immunology , Leukotriene B4/metabolism , Periodontitis/immunology , Adult , Biomarkers , Case-Control Studies , Dental Scaling , Disease Progression , Female , Gingivitis/metabolism , Humans , Leukotriene B4/analysis , Male , Periodontitis/metabolism , Periodontitis/therapy , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a glycoprotein, has attracted attention as a potential inducer of angiogenesis. It is detectable in periodontal tissues within endothelial cells, plasma cells, and macrophages and in junctional, sulcular, and gingival epithelium. In periodontitis patients, the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and the total amount of VEGF collected from diseased sites were greater than from clinically healthy sites. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of VEGF in periodontal disease progression and to investigate the effect of periodontal therapy on VEGF concentrations in GCF. METHODS: Forty-five subjects were divided into three groups based on gingival index, clinical attachment loss, and radiographic evidence of alveolar bone loss: healthy (group 1), gingivitis (group 2), and chronic periodontitis (group 3). A fourth group consisted of subjects from group 3, 8 weeks after treatment (scaling and root planing). GCF samples collected from each patient were quantified for VEGF levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further, the correlation between VEGF levels in situ and the clinical parameters was analyzed in all groups and was analyzed before and after treatment in the periodontitis group. RESULTS: The highest mean VEGF concentration (99.375 pg/ml) was observed in group 3, and the lowest was observed in group 1 (42.025 pg/ml). Its mean level in group 3 decreased to 54.60 pg/ml after treatment (group 4). Further, GCF VEGF levels showed a positive correlation with all of the clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF levels in GCF increased from health to periodontitis, and periodontal treatment resulted in a reduction in their concentrations. These data indicated that VEGF plays a key role in periodontal disease progression and can be considered a biomarker of periodontal disease progression.