Effect of bromelain on periodontal destruction and alveolar bone in rats with experimental periodontitis.

PURPOSE: Several substances that have anti-inflammatory, antiproteinase, and anti-infective properties have been evaluated as modulators of the inflammatory response in periodontal disease. However, evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of bromelain is limited. This study evaluated the impact of systemically administered bromelain on the progression of experimental periodontitis. METHODS: Four equal groups of 32 Wistar albino rats were created as follows (n = 8): control, periodontitis + saline, periodontitis + 5 mg/kg/day bromelain, and periodontitis + 10 mg/kg/day bromelain. To quantify the resorption of bone and bone volume/tissue volume, bone surface / bone volume, and connectivity, lower jawbones were fixed and then scanned using microcomputed tomography (micro CT). Blood samples were taken to measure the macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF) concentrations, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), interleukin-6(IL-6), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological assessments were made to examine the tissue. RESULTS: Treatment with bromelain improved the healing of the periodontium by decreasing the number of leukocytes and ligament deterioration in the gingival connective tissue and by supporting reintegration with alveolar bone. Bromelain used in ligature-induced periodontitis reduced alveolar bone (AB) resorption as measured by microCT; reduced inflammatory parameters such as IL-6 and TNF-α; regulated oxidative-antioxidative processes by increasing GPx and SOD and reducing MDA levels; and regulated AB modeling by decreasing M-CSF, RANKL, and MMP-8 and increasing OPG levels. CONCLUSION: Bromelain may be an option in periodontal therapy by regulating cytokine levels, improving the healing process, and reducing bone resorption and oxidative stress.

Evaluation of the oxytocin effect in a rat model with experimental periodontitis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of oxytocin on the development of periodontitis based on its properties against bone loss and resorption. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control, periodontitis + saline, periodontitis + 0.5 mg/kg/day oxytocin, and periodontitis + 1 mg/kg/day oxytocin. Periodontitis groups received 4.0 silk ligatures around their cervixes of the right and left mandibular incisors in an "8" shape, kept for 14 days. Animals in oxytocin groups were injected once every day during 14 days with oxytocin. The mandibles were fixed and scanned using microcomputed tomography to quantify bone resorption and volumetric measurements. Blood samples were collected to analyze the concentrations of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κΒ ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological evaluations were conducted to examine the gingiva and alveolar bone. Oxytocin prevented the development of periodontitis by decreasing ligament deteriorations and leukocytes in the gingival connective tissue and promoting reintegration with the alveolar bone. Bone resorption in all regions was less in the periodontitis + 1 mg/kg/day oxytocin group than in the periodontitis + saline group. Although TNF-α, IL-6, and RANKL values were lower in the periodontitis + 1 mg/kg/day oxytocin group, OPG was higher than that in the periodontitis + saline group. M-CSF, MMP-8, and MDA were lower in the oxytocin groups than in the periodontitis + saline group. Oxytocin may be an effective agent for periodontal diseases because it decreased bone resorption, oxidative stress, and inflammation in an experimental periodontitis.

Evaluation of Gene Polymorphism and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 in a Group of Turkish Periodontitis Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a significant part in the degradation of collagen structure. The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of MMPs increase with the progression of periodontal inflammation. Polymorphisms can be responsible for high expression of MMPs and can exacerbate the breakdown of collagen structure. This study aims to investigate the effect of MMP-3 -1171 5A/6A polymorphism and the GCF levels of MMP-3 in a group of Turkish periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-smoking, stage II grade A periodontitis (S II-Gr A) (n = 68) and stage II grade B periodontitis (S II-Gr C) (n = 64) patients were recruited. Healthy individuals (H) (n = 72) without signs of gingivitis or periodontitis served as the control. Venous blood was collected from participants to obtain DNA, and the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect polymorphism. GCF samples were taken to assess MMP-3 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The MMP-3 -1179 5A/6A distribution showed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). However, the MMP-3 GCF levels of the S II-Gr C group were higher than those of both the S II-Gr A and H groups (p < 0.05), and elevated MMP-3 levels were detected in S II-Gr A compared to H (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MMP-3 GCF levels showed an association with periodontal tissue destruction, although single nucleotide polymorphism was not associated with the S II-Gr C and S II-Gr A groups in the Turkish population.