Tumor necrosis factor-α serum levels in healthy smokers and nonsmokers

Florin Petrescu1, Sebastian Cosmin Voican1, Isabela Silosi21Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania; 2Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, RomaniaBackground: Tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. Inhaled cigarette smoke can induce tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) production by alveolar macrophages, which in turn may enhance the production of metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs have been involved in mediating airway inflammation and lung destruction.Objectives: We aimed to measure the TNF-a serum levels in healthy heavy smokers and healthy nonsmokers to determine the dose-response relationship based on the cigarette smoke exposure.Subjects and methods: We included in our study 43 healthy heavy smokers and 19 healthy nonsmokers (the control group). The smokers group was classified as less than one pack, one pack, and more than one pack per day. A clinical and paraclinical evaluation was performed in both groups, without any evidence of infection or COPD. The serum levels of TNF-a were assessed by ELISA.Results: The TNF-a serum levels were significantly higher for the group of smokers compared to the group of nonsmokers (P < 0.004). We also noticed an increased TNF-a concentration in the serum of smokers with more than one pack per day compared with those with less than one pack per day (P < 0.03). There was a positive correlation between the serum level of TNF-a and tobacco smoke exposure.Conclusions: The high levels of TNF-a in the serum of smokers suggest an imbalance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors as a result of tobacco smoke exposure. The concentration of TNF-a is elevated in the serum of healthy heavy smokers in a cigarette dose-dependent manner. We speculate that the serum level of TNF-a might be a useful biomarker for the selection of heavy smokers with a high risk of developing smoke induced pulmonary diseases.Keywords: tobacco smoking, inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metalloproteinase

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

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

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