Expression of endocan and vascular endothelial growth factor in recurrent minor aphthous ulcers

Background: Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are common painful inflammatory lesions of the mucous lining of the mouth. Endocan, previously identified as endothelial cell specific molecule-1, is implicated as a vital player in the regulation of several inflammatory processes. A number of inflammatory cytokines and pro-angiogenic growth factors including VEGF upregulate endothelial cells synthesis and expression of endocan. Material and Methods: Clinical scores of pain and ulcer size as well as level of endocan and VEGF were determined in swaps from aphthous ulcer and contra lateral normal mucosa in 30 patients (nine males and twenty one females) with age ranging from 18 to 45 years and mean age is 31.5 years. Results: In the early days of ulcer development, ulcer showed statistically significantly higher mean endocan (8.2 ±5.3) and VEGF levels (1220.7 ±294.6) than control healthy mucosal site (1.1 ±0.5) and (518.6 ± 61.7) respectively. An increase in endocan is associated with an increase in pain score and vice versa. A statistically significant positive correlation were also found between endocan and VEGF levels. Conclusions: Endocan and VEGF are strongly associated with the destructive phase of minor aphthous ulcers especially Endocan which was positively correlated with pain severit

Evaluation of Local and Systemic Levels of Vitamin D3 and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 After Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Background: Vitamin D is an important micronutrient possessing valuable and diverse biological effects that are related to periodontal disease pathogenesis. Vitamin D levels are regulated by fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) which is strongly associated with inflammation. The aim of the present study was to explore the relation of vitamin D and FGF23 with periodontal disease through the assessment of their levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum in periodontitis patients before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy and to compare those levels with healthy controls in order to identify any possible correlation between them. Methods: Serum and GCF samples were collected at baseline and 3 months after therapy to evaluate levels of vitamin D3 and FGF23 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both study groups. Group I consisted of 15 controls who were systematically and periodontally healthy, while group II consisted of 15 subjects who were systematically healthy with stage II periodontitis. Results: A significant elevation in vitamin D3 levels in both GCF and serum were recorded 3 months after therapy with a 25.98% and 39.29% increase respectively. On the contrary, a significant reduction in mean values of FGF23 in both GCF and serum were found after treatment with a 49.75% and 39.28% decrease respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present investigation have shed light on a vital association of both FGF23 and vitamin D3 with periodontitis, where FGF23 is associated with periodontal inflammation and vitamin D3 is associated with periodontal health.