Significance of Circulating and Crevicular Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Chronic Periodontitis Association

In the recent years, statistically significant associations between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease have been identified. Emerging as a chronic inflammatory joint disease, RA displays various features and pathogenetic events similar to chronic periodontitis (CP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of determining systemic and crevicular levels of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as potential biomarkers for association between RA and CP. A total of fifty-six patients were included in the study. The subjects were categorized into four groups as follows: healthy-control (n=21), active RA (n=16), CP (n=14), and RA-CP association (n=12). Assessment of serum and crevicular concentrations of total MMP-9 (active and pro-MMP-9) was based on ELISA technique. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences of serum MMP-9 between patients groups and control. Serum levels of MMP-9 were similar in RA and RA-CP associated patients. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) recorded increased MMP-9 levels in RA-CP association subjects as compared to CP. Considering that RA-CP association is characterized by a disregulation of the inflammatory response, MMP-9 may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA-CP association. MMP-9 is therefore a sensitive tool in the diagnosis and management of patients affected by this binomial association

Involvement of TSP1 and MMP9/NGAL in Angiogenesis during Orthodontic Periodontal Remodeling

In the present study the aim was to measure the levels of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and Lipocalin-2/matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9/NGAL) complex in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) at different time points of orthodontic treatment, to determine the relationship between these values and those of total-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and theirs implication in angiogenesis balance, in the situation of a good control of the bacterial plaque, emphasizing the role of TSP1 and MMP9/NGAL complex. GCF samples were collected from 16 young orthodontic patients requiring upper canine distalization (test tooth) with first premolar extraction. The contralateral canine (control tooth) was free from orthodontic force. For the orthodontic appliance, brackets Roth 0.018 inch with 0.012 inch NiTi archwire and a laceback were used. TSP1, MMP9/NGAL, and MMP9 increased from 1 hour before activation of orthodontic appliance to a maximum at 8 hours for MMP9 and 72 hours for MMP9/NGAL and TSP1. The results show a change in time of TSP1, MMP9/NGAL, and MMP9 levels in GCF of patients with this method of orthodontic treatment. The powerful correlation of MMP9/NGAL with TSP1 suggests their stronger involvement in angiogenesis processes in PDL during orthodontic periodontal remodeling, in the situation of a healthy periodontium and a good control of the bacterial plaque

Periodontal Implications of Hepatitis C Infection

Periodontal tissues exhibit important vascular, lymphatic, and nervous connections with the rest of the body. Thus, periodontal inflammation caused by the interaction between the subgingival bacterial biofilm and the host immune response has an impact reaching further than the oral cavity. The concept of “periodontal medicine” reunites the bidirectional relationships that exist between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. The chronic inflammation of hepatic tissues during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes changes in the general homeostasis that can reverberate at periodontal level and influence periodontal inflammation. Various mechanisms such as insulin resistance or pro-inflammatory cytokines production could be the link between the two conditions. In addition, periodontal inflammation could impact HCV transmission, as HCV RNA molecules and antibodies have been found in infected patients’ saliva and gingival fluid. During periodontal inflammation, gingival bleeding is frequent, and the viral molecules could enter oral fluids while being carried by peripheral blood cells. Clinical particularities that suggest the onset of periodontal disease have also been frequently observed in HCV-infected patients. The connections between periodontal disease and hepatitis C need to take into consideration by practitioners of both specialties due to their important implications on clinical manifestations and treatment strategies

Immunological Insights on Pathogenic Connections between Hepato-Digestive Disorders and Periodontal Conditions

The oral cavity is an integral part of the digestive tract and thus significant diseases, including periodontitis, can have an important impact on the normal nutritional functions of the body. Certain diseases of the hepato-digestive system have an inflammatory component, such as chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or gastric cancer. This inflammatory reaction is mainly driven by pro-inflammatory chemokines. This is also the case for periodontitis, a condition characterized by the inflammation of the supporting tissues of teeth. Thus, significant pathogenic connections mediated by pro-inflammatory chemokines could exist between periodontitis and diseases of the hepato-digestive system

Cytokines’ Involvement in Periodontal Changes

The bacterial challenge on the periodontal tissues triggers an inflammatory reaction, driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines, that eventually leads to the periodontal structures’ damage. The pathogenic mechanisms of this inflammatory reaction are complex and are influenced by the type of host-immune response and certain local and systemic factors. These factors can influence periodontal inflammation, through the action of the various pro-inflammatory cytokines. Periodontal disease and certain systemic conditions can have a mutual association, as the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases can involve similar molecular and cellular elements. The concept of ‘periodontal medicine’ comprises these pathogenic connections, focusing on the key role that periodontal health has on the general homeostasis and well-being

Expression of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid during Wound Healing after Gingivectomy in Postorthodontic Patients

Background. Wound healing is a tissue repair process after an injury, and two of its main components are inflammation and angiogenesis, in which course a cascade of mediators is involved. The aim of this research was to evaluate the involvement of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in wound healing after periodontal surgery (gingivectomy) for gingival overgrowth during orthodontic treatment with or without magnification devices, by assessing their levels in GCF. Methods. From 19 patients with gingival overgrowth as a result of fixed orthodontic treatment, the overgrown gingiva was removed by gingivectomy, from one half of the mandibular arch without magnification and from the other under magnification. Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 were determined from gingival crevicular fluid by ELISA tests. Results. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) and correlations between levels of the two biomarkers were analyzed. Statistically significant differences were established between levels of the two biomarkers at different time points, with significant positive correlation at the point of 24 hours. Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, the results seem to sustain the involvement of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 in the processes of inflammation and angiogenesis in wound healing of patients with postorthodontic gingivectomy. The dynamics of Pentraxin 3 and Thrombospondin 1 levels could suggest a reduced inflammation and a faster angiogenesis using microsurgery

MMP8, MMP9 AND TIMP1 LEVELS IN GCF AND GINGIVAL TISSUE OF PATIENTS WITH GINGIVAL OVERGROWTH DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Aim. Periodontal remodellng produced during dental orthodontic treatment represents a series of biologicallyactive substances, part of them playing some role in the initiation and propagation of inflammatory processes. The present study aims at demonstrating the MMP8, MMP9 and TIMP1 levels intervening in tissular periodontal remodeling produced during orthodontic treatments, accompanied by gingival overgrowth, as a reaction of the marginal periodontium to mechanical stress. Materials and Method. Selected for the study were 21 patients – 13 females and 8 males – with ages between 13 and 32 years (17.6±1.3 years) affected with dento-maxillary anomalies, who received orthodontic treatment with fixed apparatus. Sampling from the gingival fluid was performed 6 times, namely: 1 hour prior to the application of the orthodontic apparatus, 4 hours after its application, again after 8 and 24 hours and then 1 and, respectively, 2 weeks later. If gingival hypertrophy was installed (HTG), the hypertrophic gingiva was removed, and an immuno-histo-chemical examination was made. The patient was weekly monitorized in the first 6 weeks – during the initial orthodontic treatment, then monthly, samples being taken over from the gingival sulcus on each visit made in the first 6 weeks. Results. MMP-9 immuno-marking was positive both at corione level and in the deep structures of the covering epithelium. The positive cells at MMP-9 evidenced different intensities at the level of each structure forming the gingival mucous membrane. In four of the cases under analysis, disorganization of the normal layering/stratification of the epithelium was evidenced, along with the presence of numerous red cells in the chorione of the mucous membrane. In such cases, immuno-marking to MMP8 showed a normal intensity, even if few positive cells, dispersed among the extravasated red cells could be observed. Immunologically, MMP8 and MMP9 obey the same pattern, registering maximum values in the first 8 hours after the application of the orthodontic device, after which they begin to decrease, returning to the baseline in the first 2 weeks, for the cases having not developed HTG, while continuing to increase in those demonstrating HTG. The TIMP1 levels in GCF are more strongly correlated with those of MMP8 and not with those of MMP9. Conclusions. MMP8, MMP9 and TIMP1 evolution in various time moments of the orthodontic treatment evidences their involvement in the occurrence of HTG

PERIODONTAL CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES – CLINICAL ASPECTS

Diabetes, a pathology that is extremly widespread, involves an alteration homeostasis in the glucose metabolism. Periodontitis is a infectious disease resulting in irreversible destruction of the tooth attachment apparatus. At present, periodontitis is one of the major reasons for adult tooth loss. The periodontal clinical examination determined the following diagnosis categories: chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis , all of them being modulated by the systemic disease. Aim of the study is to highlight possible correlations between periodontal status and diabetic clinical parameters characterizing patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes(T1D). Material and methods This study was conducted on 62 patients. We analysed the general information of the patients and an oral examination for establishing the parodontal diagnosis. The probing depth has been established, number of teeth with pockets Larbert than 6mm and the plaque index Silness and Loe. Results Significant differences were found between the IP values on children and adults but there were no significant differences between IP on GTA and GCA or between IP on GTC and GCC. We did not find a statistically significant correlation between HbA1c and severity of periodontal diagnosis GTC. But found a direct correlation between HbA1c and statistically significant in periodontal diagnosis GTA. Conclusions The results obtained in this study show a possible relationship between metabolic changes caused by periodontal T1D and, especially in the group of adult patients