Upregulation of microRNA-223 expression in gingival crevicular blood of women with gestational diabetes mellitus and periodontitis.

Background/Purpose: MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) is involved in several inflammatory diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and periodontitis. We first described a procedure for purifying miR-223 from gingival crevicular blood (GCB) of pregnant women with or without GDM and periodontitis. This study aimed to determine whether GDM and/or periodontitis modifies miR-223 expression in pregnant women and to analyze miR-223-targeted messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in GCB compared to peripheral blood (PB). Materials and methods: Pregnant women were allocated to 4 groups: 10 women with GDM and periodontitis (GDM/P), 10 women with GDM without periodontitis (GDM/NP), 9 women with periodontitis and without GDM (NGDM/P) and 10 women without either condition (NGDM/NP). Clinical parameters of GDM and periodontal status were examined. GCB and PB were collected to assess miR-223, ICAM-1, IL-1ß and ß1-integrin gene expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The GDM/P group demonstrated the highest miR-223 expression levels among the 4 groups in GCB. A significant difference was found between GDM/P and GDM/NP group (P = 0.04). In contrast, the GDM/P showed the lowest miR-223 expression level in PB among the 4 groups. Moreover, ICAM-1 and IL-1ß mRNA expression exhibited the opposite trend of miRNA-223, indicating that miRNA-223 might regulate the mRNA function of those genes by epigenetic events. Conclusion: The upregulation of miR-223 expression in GCB but downregulation in PB, ICAM-1 and IL-1ß genes expression in women with GDM and periodontitis suggest a promising role of miR-223 in the association between GDM and periodontitis.

Periodontal Treatment Improves Serum Levels of Leptin, Adiponectin, and C-Reactive Protein in Thai Patients with Overweight or Obesity.

Periodontitis and overweight or obesity independently change serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The aim of this study is to investigate the alterations of serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and CRP after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in Thai patients with overweight or obesity (Owt/Ob) who did or did not exhibit severe periodontitis (SP) and normal weight (Nwt) patients with or without SP. Two hundred sixty patients were screened; 29 patients were included in this study. The study participants comprised 6 patients with Owt/Ob who exhibited SP, 11 patients with Owt/Ob who did not exhibit SP, 5 Nwt patients with SP, and 7 Nwt patients without SP. Periodontal disease status was evaluated; serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, and CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, as well as at 3 and 6 months after NSPT. At 3 months after NSPT, periodontal status was improved in all groups (p < 0.05), except Nwt patients without SP. Serum levels of leptin and CRP were significantly reduced, while serum levels of adiponectin were elevated after NSPT, regardless of bodyweight or waist circumference (p < 0.05). Improvement in serum levels of leptin after NSPT was also observed in the Nwt with SP group (p = 0.015); these levels did not significantly differ in Nwt patients without SP. NSPT reduces serum levels of leptin and CRP and enhances serum levels of adiponectin in Thai patients with Owt/Ob, irrespective of periodontitis severity. These results suggest a role for periodontal treatment in the systemic inflammatory response of Thai people with Owt/Ob.

Emergence angles in natural anterior teeth: influence on periodontal status.

OBJECTIVES: To find the geometric values of emergence angles in human natural anterior teeth and to study their influence on periodontal status. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Fifty anterior teeth with full-crown restorations and homologous contralateral sound teeth were examined for clinical parameters: Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss. Impressions and stone casts were made and then separated along the midline of the teeth. All cut-surface specimens were photocopied, scanned, and transferred into graphic form with a special program. The emergence angles of both restored and natural teeth were processed and recorded. Paired t test and multivariate linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean supragingival emergence angles for facial and lingual surfaces of natural anterior teeth were 11.13 +/- 7.92 and 15.58 +/- 9.16 degrees, respectively. The corresponding values for subgingival emergence angles were 9.93 +/- 5.68 and 14.35 +/- 8.44 degrees. The periodontal parameters were higher in restored teeth than in natural teeth. When Plaque Index and gender were controlled, a correlation was shown between the lingual subgingival emergence angle of the restored teeth and probing depth. A correlation was also found between the lingual supra- and subgingival emergence angles, as well as between both angles of the restored teeth and the attachment loss. CONCLUSION: The mean values of emergence angles obtained may aid clinicians and dental technicians in more easily designing the definitive emergence profile of restorations. The emergence profile of the restored teeth may affect periodontal status on the lingual aspect.

Relative connective tissue graft size affects root coverage treatment outcome in the envelope procedure.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the correlation between the connective tissue graft size and the percentage of root coverage. METHODS: Fifteen patients with Miller Class I or II recession defects (one tooth/defect per patient) were treated using an envelope connective tissue graft procedure. Clinical parameters including gingival recession depth (RD), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized tissue width (KW), and the probing depth (PD) were measured. Visible denuded area (VDA) and graft tissue area (GTA) were indirectly measured in mm2 using computer software. Graft tissue thickness (GTT) and graft tissue width (GTW) were also measured. All clinical parameters and VDA were recorded at baseline and 3 and 6 months. The RD, CAL, KW, PD, and VDA were evaluated by Friedman test. The correlation between the percentage of root coverage (PRC) and factors related to graft size were determined by Spearman rank correlation and nonparametric regression analysis. RESULTS: The percent of root coverage at 3 and 6 months postoperatively was statistically significantly associated with the GTA:VDA ratio (P<0.01); it did not correlate with GTA, GTT, or RD, and was inconsistently correlated to GTW and VDA. In patients who had 100% root coverage, the GTA:VDA ratio ranged between 10.92:1 and 21.95:1; in patients with <100% root coverage, the ratio was between 4.54:1 and 11.06:1. CONCLUSION: The GTA:VDA ratio should be at least 11:1, which is a significant factor for optimal root coverage result in the envelope procedure.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus-6, and Epstein-Barr virus in periodontitis patients and healthy subjects in the Thai population.

Fifty periodontitis patients and 30 healthy patients with oral cavities were selected from the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, from March 2001 to November 2002. Their ages varied between 15 and 70 years. Among the periodontitis patients, specimens were collected from both disease and healthy sites. All samples were evaluated for the presence of CMV, HHV-6, and EBV-1 by nested PCR. Among the periodontitis patients, CMV was found in 34%, of which 8% were at the disease sites, 10% were at the healthy sites, and 16% were from both sites. EBV was not found in this group of the patients, while HHV-6 was found in 4%, at the disease sites only. CMV was found in one (3.3%) healthy control while HHV-6 and EBV-1 were not found. The depth of sample sites, various demographic and baseline characteristics eg sex, age, occupation and root planning were not associated with the presence of these viruses.