Comparative evaluation of the levels of nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein (NLRP) 3 in saliva of subjects with chronic periodontitis and healthy controls.

Context: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease which is ubiquitous. When there is an onset of infection, the innate immunity gets activated followed by the adaptive immune system. Inflammasomes identify the pathogen-associated molecular patterns or danger-associated molecular patterns and initiate inflammation. Nod- like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP 3) is a protein belonging to the intracellular innate immune sensors that act against bacteria. The inflammasome acts along with the toll-like receptor pathways to initiate an action against pathogens. NLRP3 (also known as PYPAF-1 or cryopyrin) acts via apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC). Aims: The study aimed at finding out the relation between levels of NLRP3 in chronic periodontitis and healthy subjects via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Settings and Design: This was a Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Clinical examination and saliva sampling of the study population was done. Reagents were prepared and NLRP3 levels were estimated using ELISA analysis. Statistical Analysis: Intergroup comparison was initiated using the unpaired t-test and for within the group (intragroup), the two-way analysis of variance was used. The Pearson correlation coefficient helped to determine the strength of linear association. Results: Increased levels of NLRP3 were seen in subjects suffering from chronic periodontitis. NLRP3 was also seen to be positively correlated to probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival index, and plaque index. Conclusions: A positive correlation exists between NLRP3 and chronic periodontitis, and hence, NLRP3 can be a potential biomarker.

Comparative study using autologous platelet-rich fibrin and titanium prepared platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of infrabony defects: An in vitro and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The platelet concentrates had been pioneered to be used in regenerative medicine since above a decade. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the autologous platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and titanium prepared platelet rich fibrin (T-PRF) in the treatment of infrabony defects, clinically and radiographically and to compare the histologic difference between PRF and T-PRF by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a split mouth randomised controlled trial study in which 20 sites were selected and randomly assigned equally into 10 sites each in group A [Test group=T-PRF] and group B [Control group=PRF]. Clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline,3 months and 9 months. Radiographic parameters were evaluated at baseline and 9 months. Histologic differences between light microscopy and SEM for both PRF and T-PRF was studied after sequential processing. RESULTS: There was marked reduction in Probing Pocket depth and gain in Clinical Attachment Level in both the T-PRF and PRF groups from baseline to 9 months in intragroup comparisons. However, on intergroup comparisons, no statistical significance was seen. Radiographically, mean defect depths for both the groups showed statistically significant reduction from baseline values to 9 months on intragroup comparisons but not on intergroup comparisons. In-vitro evaluation, on both light and scanning electron microscopy, T-PRF showed denser fibril meshwork as compared to PRF. CONCLUSION: The clinical parameters and radiographic outcomes showed marked improvement at 9 months with both PRF and T-PRF in the treatment of infrabony defects from baseline values in intragroup comparison. However, statistically efficacy of T-PRF was not seen to be superior to that of PRF both clinically and radiographically. Histologic evaluation showed T-PRF had denser fibrils as compared to PRF in both light and scanning electron microscopy.