Role of Inhibitor SMADs in Stage 3 Grade B periodontitis before and after periodontal treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and inhibitory-Smads (I-Smads) in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with Stage 3 Grade B periodontitis before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been stated that Smads play an active role in all conditions where TGF-ß is involved, including periodontal inflammation. METHODS: Twenty healthy participants (control) and 20 patients with Stage 3, Grade B periodontitis were recruited. GCF and saliva samples and clinical periodontal recordings were investigated at the baseline and 1 month after treatment. TGF-ß and I-Smads (Smads 6 and 7) were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Salivary Smad6 and Smad7 levels were significantly lower in the periodontitis group than healthy controls (p < .05), while there was no difference in salivary TGF-ß levels between groups at baseline (p > .05). The total amounts and concentrations of GCF TGF-ß, Smad6, and Smad7 were significantly lower in the periodontitis group than healthy controls at baseline (p < .05), and then decreased in concentration levels with treatment (p < .001). Positive correlations were found between total amounts and concentrations of GCF TGF-ß, Smad6, and Smad7 (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that Smad6 and Smad7 in GCF and saliva decreased in periodontitis and then increased after periodontal treatment. Our study suggests that I-Smads act in parallel with TGF-ß in periodontal inflammation and may have a role in the development of periodontitis.

Vitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms in Inactive Hepatitis B Virus Carriers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and vitamin D levels in inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: From March to September 2017 at the Izmir Katip Celebi University (IKCU) Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-six inactive hepatitis B carriers and 86 control individuals were included in the study. Individuals with diseases or under medication that could affect vitamin D levels were excluded from the study. Serum vitamin D concentration of >30 ng/mL was considered as sufficient, between 20-30 ng/mL as insufficient, <20 ng/mL as deficiency and <10 ng/mL as severe deficiency. VDR gene Bsm I, Fok I, Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: When vitamin D levels were examined, 52.3% (n = 45) of the inactive HBV carriers had severe deficiency, 38.4% (n = 33) deficiency, 7% (n = 6) insufficiency; 45.3% (n = 39) of the control group had severe deficiency, 43% (n = 37) deficiency, and 7% (n = 6) insufficiency. There was no statistically significant relationship between VDR gene and Bsm I, Fok I, Apa I, Taq I polymorphisms and vitamin D levels in inactive hepatitis B carriers and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent both among control population as well as in chronic hepatitis patients. Key Words: Inactive HBV carrier, Vitamin D, Polymorphism, Vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Gingival crevicular fluid semaphorin 4D and peptidylarginine deiminase-2 levels in periodontal health and disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D), peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with periodontal disease and patients with healthy periodontium and investigate the effects of periodontal treatment on the levels of these molecules. METHODS: GCF samples were collected from periodontally healthy controls (C group, n = 20), patients with gingivitis (G group, n = 20), and patients with chronic periodontitis (CP group, n = 20). Sampling sites were also divided into bleeding (BP) and non-bleeding (NBP) periodontal pocket groups in CP group. Full-mouth clinical periodontal parameters were also recorded. GCF samplings and clinical records were also repeated at 1 and 3 months after treatment for the CP group. SEMA4D, PAD2, and MMP-8 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The GCF SEMA4D, PAD2, and MMP-8 total amounts were similar in CP and G groups (P Ëƒ 0.05) but significantly greater than the C group (P Ë‚ 0.05). The GCF SEMA4D and PAD2 total amounts in the BP group were significantly greater than the NBP group (P Ë‚ 0.05). GCF MMP-8 total amounts were similar in BP and NBP groups (P Ëƒ 0.05). The GCF SEMA4D, PAD2, and MMP-8 total amounts were significantly reduced at first month after treatment (P Ë‚ 0.05). There were positive correlations between GCF total amount of SEMA4D and all clinical parameters (P Ë‚ 0.01) and also between PAD2 and clinical parameters (P Ë‚ 0.05) except clinical attachment level. There was a positive correlation between GCF total amount of SEMA4D and GCF total amount of MMP-8 (P Ë‚ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It may be suggested that SEMA4D and PAD2 are related to periodontal disease. Their GCF total amounts may have a diagnostic potential. Additional studies would better clarify their role in periodontal diseases.