The impact of the IL-11:IL-17 ratio on the chronic periodontitis pathogenesis: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: An imbalance in the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be responsible for periodontal breakdown through immune responses. This study aimed to determine the total amount, concentration and ratio of interleukin (IL)-11 and IL-17 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty CP patients and 20 healthy controls (C) were included. The CP group was divided into two subgroups in line with the probing depth (PD) in GCF-sampling sites (CPa: PD >or= 5 mm, CPb: PD

Relationship between interleukin-6 levels in gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and adult periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine and compare interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and clinical periodontal findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and adult periodontitis (AP). METHODS: A total of 45 patients divided into 3 groups (15 patients with RA and AP, 15 patients with AP, and 15 periodontally healthy subjects) were included in this study. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), and attachment level (AL) values for each patient were recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitative detection of IL-6 in each GCF sample was employed. RESULTS: No significant difference could be detected between the RA and AP groups in the mean clinical parameter data except PI. Although the mean GCF IL-6 level in the RA group was the highest, no significant difference could be found among the groups. There was only a strong negative correlation between GCF IL-6 levels and GI scores in the RA group. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with RA, despite increased local tissue destruction potential due to autoimmunity and higher PI levels than in the AP patients, our findings suggest that medication including corticosteroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may decrease gingival inflammation, but the synthesis and degradation of IL-6 in gingival tissue of RA patients may be different. To our knowledge, this study is the first report determining GCF IL-6 levels in RA patients.

Gingival involvement in mucous membrane pemphigoid.

A 60-year-old woman with clinical features of desquamative gingivitis had a history of painful, blistering gingival lesions for more than 2 years. There were no other accompanying mucosal or skin lesions. Clinical examination revealed erythematous and edematous gingiva with ulcerated areas and evidence of intact and ruptured bullae. White plaquelike lesions were also noted. Gingival manipulation caused epithelial desquamation. Light microscopic examination of biopsy specimens from the perilesional gingival tissue showed separation of the oral gingival epithelium and connective tissue at the margin of the collapsed bulla. A moderately intense inflammatory infiltrate was present in the connective tissue. Direct immunofluorescent microscopy revealed a continuous linear deposition of immunoglobulin G and C3 at the basement membrane zone. On the basis of clinical, histopathologic, and immunofluorescent findings, the diagnosis of mucous membrane pemphigoid was made.

The periodontal status of indirectly lead-exposed apprentices working in autorepair workshops.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal health status of lead-exposed apprentices and to search the correlation between clinical periodontal parameters and either blood lead or oxidative stress/damage indices in erythrocytes. Sixty male subjects were recruited for this study (30 apprentices and 30 controls). The periodontal health status was determined with gingival index, plaque index, gingival bleeding time index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level records. Additionally, blood lead level and indices of oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), catalase activities and damage (malondialdehyde concentration) in erythrocytes were determined. The results showed that lead level was significantly higher in apprentices than in controls (P < 0.05). None of the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative stress/damage indices were significantly different between the groups (P > 0.05). Significant correlation between plaque index and catalase, probing depth and superoxide dismutase, clinical attachment level and superoxide dismutase, and clinical attachment level and malondialdehyde in apprentices group (P < 0.05), and gingival bleeding time index and glutathione peroxidase in control group were found (P < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, there were statistically significant associations between gingival index and working status, family income and either probing depth or clinical attachment level (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed significant association between the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative stress/damage indices in apprentices indirectly exposed to low levels of lead.

Hydroxyproline and total protein levels in gingiva from patients treated with phenytoin and cyclosporine-A.

Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and total protein levels were studied in gingiva from patients treated with phenytoin (PHT) and cyclosporine-A (CSA). The study included 5 groups of subjects: PHT and CSA groups with and without gingival overgrowth (PHT-GO+), (PHT-GO-), (CSA-GO+), (CSA-GO-), and periodontally healthy controls (C). After taking clinical measurements, gingival samples were harvested by gingivectomy or excising one or two papillae from the posterior areas. The samples were analyzed biochemically. In the PHT groups, both Hyp and total protein levels were significantly higher than in the C group. The differences between the PHT-GO+ and PHT-GO- groups were not statistically significant. In the CSA groups, total protein levels were significantly higher than in controls while no significant difference was found in Hyp levels. The differences between the CSA-GO+ and CSA-GO- groups were not statistically significant. When the PHT and CSA groups were compared, Hyp levels were significantly higher in the PHT-GO+ group than in the CSA-GO+ group. Total protein level differences between the PHT and CSA groups were not statistically significant. Correlations between age, plaque index, gingival overgrowth index, Hyp and total protein levels were analyzed and most were found not to be statistically significant. PHT appears to stimulate both collagen and total protein synthesis in gingiva while CSA seems to have a stronger effect on total protein synthesis. This suggests that the mechanisms underlying PHT- and CSA-induced gingival overgrowth are different and further comparative studies are needed.