Paraoxonase-1, a novel link between periodontitis and ischemic heart disease: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and might be a potential risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the link between periodontitis and atherosclerosis is not yet fully understood. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a new biomarker representing both anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant activity, which also acts against dental biofilm formation and periodontitis. The possible contributing role of PON-1 in the relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerosis has not been studied to date. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum level of PON-1 with regard to the periodontal status in IHD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 67 patients with IHD underwent a periodontal examination and were accordingly allocated to one of the 2 study groups: the case group with chronic periodontitis (n = 36); or the control group with a healthy periodontium (n = 31). Serum PON-1 activity was measured by means of colorimetric analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, cardiac risk factors, initial biochemical test results, cardiac pump function, and the number of grafted vessels. The activity of PON-1 in cardiac patients suffering from periodontitis was significantly lower than in cardiac patients with a healthy periodontal status (53.01 ±7.53 U/mL and 59.11 ±9.95 U/mL, respectively; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that the combination of IHD and periodontitis is associated with lower PON-1 activity. Further studies might be required to assess the possible role of periodontal treatment in increasing PON-1 activity and reducing IHD severity.

Comparative effect of anthocyanin on proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblasts in the absence or presence of nicotine.

Background: Oral fibroblast malfunction can result in periodontal diseases. Nicotine can prolong the healing process as an irritant of oral tissues. Anthocyanins have been demonstrated to have potential benefits in preventing or treating smoking-related periodontal diseases. Cyanidin chloride's (CC's) potential in oral wound healing and the viability, proliferation, and migration of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were examined in the presence and absence of nicotine by an in vitro study. Methods: The effects of different nicotine concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mM) on the viability and proliferation of HGF cells were evaluated in the presence and absence of different CC concentrations (5, 10, 25, and 50 µM) using the quantitative MTT assay. The scratch test was performed to evaluate the migration of CC-treated cells in the presence of 2.5-mM nicotine. Results: No cytotoxicity was observed at 1‒100 µM CC concentrations after 24, 48, and 72 hours of exposure to HGF cells. However, a concentration of 200 µM significantly reduced cell viability by about 20% at all the three-time intervals (P<0.05). Also, 3‒5-mM concentrations of nicotine significantly reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, the understudied CC concentrations decreased nicotine's adverse effects on cell migration to some extent. Conclusion: Although the understudied CC concentrations could not significantly reduce the adverse effects of understudied nicotine concentrations on the viability and proliferation of HGF cells, they were able to reduce the detrimental effects of nicotine on cell migration significantly.

Evaluation of Resistin Levels in Saliva of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Healthy Subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate resistin levels in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis, and healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects aged between 25 and 50 years were included and divided into healthy group (n = 19) and chronic periodontitis group (n = 15). The saliva levels of resistin were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparisons of resistin levels between the two groups were made with the Mann-Whitney Test. RESULTS: The chronic periodontitis group showed significantly higher resistin levels than the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The level of resistin in saliva might help to determine the inflammatory status of periodontal diseases.

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of sclerostin in chronic periodontitis and healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that causes destruction of periodontal tissues and bone around the teeth. Sclerostin is a protein encoded by the SOST gene. In this study, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of sclerostin in patients with chronic periodontitis were compared with those of healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, a total of 40 subjects were enrolled and divided into the healthy group (n=23) and chronic periodontitis group (n=17). GCF samples were collected, and the concentration of sclerostin was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparison of significance between groups was assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Sclerostin concentration was significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis group compared with the healthy group (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study, sclerostin can be a possible marker for assessment of periodontal health status.

Comparison of Er:YAG Laser and Hand Instrumentation on the Attachment of Cultured Human Gingival Fibroblasts to Periodontally Involved Root Surfaces.

Introduction: The present study compared the effects of erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser and hand instrumentation on the attachment of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells to periodontally involved root surfaces. Methods: A total of 40 tooth specimens were collected and treated in four distinct groups: scaled and root planed with hand instruments, scaled with Er:YAG laser, treated with a combination of hand instruments and Er:YAG laser and non-treated control group. The attachment and proliferation rate of HGF were assessed using MTT assay and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination was used for cell morphological evaluation. Results: The MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay showed significant decrease in HGF cell viability in both hand instruments only and combination treated teeth specimens compared to control specimens (P<0.05), 24 hours after cell seeding. However, at time 48, the cell viability of attached cells in these 2 treated groups was almost similar to control. In contrast, at 24 and 48 hours after cell seeding, viability of attached cells was higher than control in Er:YAG laser treated only specimens (P<0.05). According to SEM study, the laser treated specimens showed more surface roughness. Conclusion: Er:YAG laser increased attachment and proliferation of HGF cells in comparison to the hand instruments method.

Efficacy of vitamins E and C for reversing the cytotoxic effects of nicotine and cotinine.

Nicotine has adverse cellular and molecular effects on oral mucosa, bone, and teeth. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are biological antioxidants with positive effects on wound healing and bone formation. This in vitro study sought to assess the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of nicotine and cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) on MG-63 osteoblast-like cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in the presence and absence of antioxidant vitamins E and C (separately and combined). Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell migration was assessed using the scratch test, and expression of apoptosis-related genes was quantitatively analyzed using real-time PCR. Dose-dependent negative effects of nicotine on the morphology, viability, proliferation, and migration of MG-63 and HGF cells were statistically significantly greater than those of cotinine. Vitamin E (separately and combined with vitamin C) was statistically significantly more effective than vitamin C (at the concentration used in this study) at improving cell viability, proliferation, and migration, and at reducing apoptosis of cells exposed to nicotine or cotinine. Based on the positive results of this study, vitamin C and especially vitamin E (systemically and/or locally) may be useful in the repair and regeneration of oral hard and soft tissues in smokers.

In Vitro Study of Er:YAG and Er, Cr:YSGG Laser Irradiation on Human Gingival Fibroblast Cell Line.

The ultimate goal of the periodontal treatments is a regeneration of periodontium. Recently, laser irradiations are commonly used to improve wound repair. Because of many controversies about the effects of laser on soft tissue regeneration, more in vitro studies are still needed. The aim of the present in vitro study was to compare the effects of different doses of Er:YAG (erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, garnet) and Er, Cr:YSGG (erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet) laser treatment on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) proliferation. In this randomized single-blind controlled in vitro trial, HGF cells were irradiated using Er:YAG and Er, Cr:YSGG laser for 10 and 30 seconds or remained unexposed as a control group. After a culture period of 24 and 48 hours, HGF cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The data were subjected to one-sided analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparison tests. Our results showed Er:YAG application for 10 and 30 seconds as well as Er, Cr:YSGG irradiation for 10 and 30 seconds induced statistically significant (P<0.05) proliferation of HGF cells as compared with the control at 24 hours up to 18.39%, 26.22%, 21.21%, and 17.06% respectively. In 48 hour incubations, Er:YAG and Er, Cr:YSGG irradiation for 10 and 30 seconds significantly increased cellular proliferation up to 22.9%, 32.24%, 30.52% and 30.02% respectively (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that Er:YAG and Er, Cr:YSGG laser significantly increased HGF cell proliferation compared to the control specimens. This higher proliferation can lead to increased wound repair in clinical conditions.

Effects of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors and Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Proliferation and Viability of Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet preparations are commonly used to enhance bone and soft tissue regeneration. Considering the existing controversies on the efficacy of platelet products for tissue regeneration, more in vitro studies are required. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro effects of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on proliferation and viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anitua's PRGF and Choukran's PRF were prepared according to the standard protocols. After culture periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours, proliferation of HGFs was evaluated by the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer's multiple comparisons and P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: PRGF treatment induced statistically significant (P<0.001) proliferation of HGF cells compared to the negative control (100% viability) at 24, 48 and 72 hours in values of 123%±2.25%, 102%±2.8% and 101%±3.92%, respectively. The PRF membrane treatment of HGF cells had a statistically significant effect on cell proliferation (21%±1.73%, P<0.001) at 24 hours compared to the negative control. However, at 48 and 72 hours after treatment, PRF had a negative effect on HGF cell proliferation and caused 38% and 60% decrease in viability and proliferation compared to the negative control, respectively. The HGF cell proliferation was significantly higher in PRGF than in PRF group (P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that PRGF had a strong stimulatory effect on HGF cell viability and proliferation compared to PRF.