The role of anti‐PAc (361–386) peptide SIgA antibody in professional oral hygiene of the elderly

Objective: Measurement of salivary IgA antibody (PAc‐peptide antibody, PPA) to amino acid residues 361–386 of Streptococcus mutans PAc, which possess a multiple binding motif to various HLA‐DR molecules and a B‐cell epitope that recognises the inhibiting antibody to S. mutans, is an indicator for the population numbers of mutans streptococci (MS) in human saliva. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of PPA in infection control of MS after professional oral hygiene care. Materials and methods: Thirty‐nine dependently living institutionalised elderly subjects (75.9 ± 7.5 years; 10 males, 29 females) participated in the study. The measurements of PPA, MS, total streptococci (TS) and lactobacilli (LB) were performed by ELISA and culture techniques from saliva, plaque and tongue samples from the elderly. Results: After treatment using professional oral care, the numbers of MS decreased significantly at 6 months in saliva and tongue samples from the group not having PPA in comparison with the primary data; whereas in the PPA‐detected group, a significant decrease in MS number was shown immediately following professional care at 1–12 months in all samples. There was little difference in the numbers of LB at any of the time points. The numbers of TS decreased rapidly in PPA‐not detected group in comparison with the PPA‐detected group. Conclusion: PPA may be more effective for controlling MS number in the oral cavity after professional treatment. The measurement of PPA may be used for preventive instruction to dental caries at the chair side in the clinical setting.     

Relationship of cariogenic bacteria levels with periodontal status and root surface caries in elderly Japanese

Objective: The relationship of the levels of cariogenic bacterial species with periodontal status and decayed root surfaces was investigated in elderly Japanese subjects. Methods: Three hundred and sixty‐eight individuals (each 75 years old) were examined for periodontal status (pocket depth, attachment loss), root surface caries and salivary levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB). Results: Values >4 mm of attachment loss (rAL4) and for average attachment loss (aAL) of sites measured were significantly higher in subjects with LB than those without. Multiple regression analysis also showed a correlation between aAL and rAL4 values with the presence of LB (aAL p = 0.003; rAL4 p = 0.002). Further, multiple regression analysis of interacting factors regarding decayed root surfaces showed that LB carriers had a greater incidence of decayed root surface caries (p = 0.003), while MS and LB levels were correlated to the number of decayed root surfaces (LB p = 0.010; MS p = 0.026). Conclusion: Our results indicate that considerable attachment loss elevates the possibility of having LB, thus increasing the risk of root surface caries. It was also found that LB and MS measurements may be useful indicators of decayed root surfaces in elderly individuals with attachment loss.     

Assessment of Oral Conditions and Quality of Life in Morbid Obese and Normal Weight Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of oral disease on the quality of life of morbid obese and normal weight individuals. Cohort was composed of 100 morbid-obese and 50 normal-weight subjects. Dental caries, community periodontal index, gingival bleeding on probing (BOP), calculus, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, dental wear, stimulated salivary flow, and salivary pH were used to evaluate oral diseases. Socioeconomic and the oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) questionnaires showed the quality of life in both groups. Unpaired Student, Fisher’s Exact, Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney, and Multiple Regression tests were used (p<0.05). Obese showed lower socio-economic level than control group, but no differences were found considering OIDP. No significant differences were observed between groups considering the number of absent teeth, bruxism, difficult mastication, calculus, initial caries lesion, and caries. However, saliva flow was low, and the salivary pH was changed in the obese group. Enamel wear was lower and dentine wear was higher in obese. More BOP, insertion loss, and periodontal pocket, especially the deeper ones, were found in obese subjects. The regression model showed gender, smoking, salivary pH, socio-economic level, periodontal pocket, and periodontal insertion loss significantly associated to obesity. However, both OIDP and BOP did not show significant contribution to the model. The quality of life of morbid obese was more negatively influenced by oral disease and socio-economic factors than in normal weight subjects.     

致龋菌与牙周致病菌混合感染动物模型的初步研究

目的通过建立龋病与牙周病共同发生的动物模型,初步探讨致龋菌与牙周致病菌的相关性。方法 5~6周龄金黄地鼠22只,雌雄各半,随机分成2组,均给予高蔗糖饮食。对照组10只,感染组12只,双侧下颌第一磨牙丝线结扎,接种牙龈卟啉单胞菌(P.g)和变形链球菌(S.m);种菌结束后8周检查下颌第一磨牙牙体和牙周组织损害情况。结果感染组产生明显的牙周损害:探诊出血(BOP)、菌斑指数(PLI)以及牙槽骨吸收(ABL)均显著大于对照组(P0.01),同时,感染组冠部龋坏率达到90.0%,大于对照组(66.7%),但差异没有统计学意义。2个组均未产生根龋。结论牙龈卟啉单胞菌与变形链球菌分别作用于牙周和牙体组织发生龋及牙周损害,二者没有显著的相互抑制作用,可在地鼠口腔中同时出现龋和牙周炎病损的模型。     

应用16S rDNA检测固定矫治患者牙周可疑病原菌变化研究

应用16S rDNA检测固定矫治患者龈下菌斑中牙周可疑病原,探讨戴用固定矫治器对牙周组织健康的影响。随机选择36例治疗时间超过6个月的固定矫治患者组成实验组,29例未经正畸治疗者组成对照组。分别检验特定部位牙周临床指数并收集龈下菌斑样本。采用16S rDNA检测9种牙周可疑致病菌。实验组与对照组相比牙龈指数、牙周袋深度、探诊出血差异有明显统计学意义(P<0.05);牙周可疑病原菌中牙龈卟啉菌、齿垢密螺旋体在实验组的检出率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。固定矫治器戴入可引起患者牙周可疑病原菌的明显变化。     

Periodontal Disease in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Influence of Pubertal Stage and Glycemic Control

ObjectiveThough gingivitis is common in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the overall periodontal health in T1DM during the pubertal stage is less well-characterized. The study was undertaken to explore the possible influence of puberty and metabolic derangement on periodontal health in T1DM.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 110 subjects between 10-18 years with T1DM and 52 healthy siblings of similar age were evaluated for pubertal stage, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and periodontal health. Simplified oral hygiene index (OHIS), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PPD) were evaluated at 4 sites per tooth as per 6 Ramfjord index teeth used to assess periodontal disease (PD).ResultsPD not merely gingivitis was significantly higher in T1DM (84/110, 76.36%) than the control group (28/52, 53.8%) (P = .004). Irrespective of pubertal status, children with T1DM had worse GI, PI, BOP, and PPD than nondiabetic subjects, although OHIS was better in diabetes. In both T1DM and nondiabetic subjects, pubertal subjects showed significantly worse OHIS, PPD, BOP, and GI than prepubertal subjects. PD was correlated with pubertal stage, age, and HbA1c, although less strongly with the duration of diabetes. In logistic regression, pubertal stage was a stronger predictor of PD (OR = 14.26) than age (OR = 2.22), and HbA1c (OR = 1.5) rather than the presence of diabetes and its duration.ConclusionsThough pubertal status, age, and poor glycemic control rather than the presence of diabetes and its duration are associated with gingivitis and other forms of PD, puberty had a more profound effect in the pathogenesis of PD in T1DM.     

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Different Periodontal Conditions

Aim

To quantify the proteome composition of the GCF in periodontal health (HH) and in sites with different clinical conditions in chronic periodontitis (CP) subjects.

Material and Methods

5 subjects with HH and 5 with CP were submitted to full-mouth periodontal examination, and GCF sampling. Sites in the CP group were classified and sampled as periodontitis (P, probing depth, PD>4 mm), gingivitis (G, PD≤3mm with bleeding on probing, BOP), and healthy sites (H, PD≤3mm without BOP). GCF proteins were subjected to liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for identification, characterization and quantification.

Results

230 proteins were identified; 145 proteins were detected in HH, 214 in P, 154 in G, and 133 in H. Four proteins were exclusively detected at HH, 43 proteins at P, 7 proteins at G, and 1 protein at H. Compared to HH group, 35 and 6 proteins were more abundant in P and G (p<0.001), respectively; and 4, 15 and 37 proteins were less abundant in P, G and H (p≤0.01), respectively.

Conclusions

There are marked differences in the GCF proteome according to disease profile. Comprehension of the role of the identified proteins in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease may lead to biomarkers definition.     

慢性牙周炎合并2型糖尿病患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6的变化及临床价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨慢性牙周炎（CP）合并2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者龈沟液沉默信息调节因子-1（Sirtuin-1）、Sirtuin-6的变化和临床价值。方法：选择2020年3月至2023年3月中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九七〇医院收治的147例CP合并T2DM患者（T2DM组）,128例单纯CP患者（CP组）和121例健康体检者（对照组）。根据牙周检查结果将T2DM组患者分为轻度组（n=49）、中度组（n=67）、重度组（n=31）。检测受试者龈沟液中Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平以及外周血单核细胞核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体热蛋白结构域亚家族成员3（NLRP3）信使核糖核酸（mRNA）、程序性细胞死亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）mRNA、半胱氨酸蛋白酶1（Caspase-1）mRNA表达,并评估牙周临床指标。Pearson分析CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平与牙周临床指标、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达的相关性。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6诊断CP合并T2DM的价值。结果：T2DM组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于CP组和对照组（P＜0.05）,出血指数（SBI）、牙周袋探诊深度（PD）、牙龈指数（GI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、附着丧失（AL）、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于CP组和对照组（P＜0.05）。CP组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于和对照组（P＜0.05）,GI、SBI、PLI、PD、AL、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于对照组（P＜0.05）。重度组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）,GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）。中度组龈沟液Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平低于轻度组（P＜0.05）,GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达高于轻度组（P＜0.05）。CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液Sirtuin-1、 Sirtuin-6水平与GI、PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血单核细胞NLRP3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达均呈负相关（P＜0.05）。龈沟液Sirtuin-1、 Sirtuin-6诊断CP合并T2DM的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.787、0.806,联合诊断AUC为0.912,高于单独诊断。结论：CP合并T2DM患者龈沟液中Sirtuin-1、Sirtuin-6水平降低,且与牙周组织破坏程度加重、NLRP3炎症小体激活有关。龈沟液Sirtuin-1联合Sirtuin-6在CP合并T2DM诊断中具有较高价值。     

Salivary detection of periodontopathic bacteria and periodontal health status in dental students

ObjectiveSaliva may become a potential source of contamination through vertical and horizontal transmissions as well as cross-infections. This study aims to use saliva as a screening tool to detect putative periodontal pathogens in a young population with fairly good oral hygiene.Materials and methodsStimulated saliva samples were obtained from 134 dental students (20.5 ± 1 years, range 18–22 years). Among those, 77 subjects also completed a periodontal examination including attachment loss, modified dental, gingival and plaque indices (AL, mDI, GI and PI). The test bacteria were identified using a 16S rRNA-based PCR detection method.ResultsOne or more of the test bacteria was found in 67% of the subjects. Prevotella nigrescens was detected as single bacterium in 16% of the subjects followed by Treponema denticola (4%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (2%), Aggregatibacter (formerly Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans (1%) and Tannerella forsythia (1%). Two or more pathogens were detected in 42% of the subjects. Clinical examination revealed health with no attachment loss (AL) in 84% of the students. In no AL group, 38% of the students were pathogen free while this was 25% for students in localized AL group (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant association between the detection of salivary periodontal pathogen in general and higher PI (p = 0.018) and GI (p = 0.043).ConclusionWithin the limits of this study, it is possible to detect all six periodontal pathogens in the saliva of dental students. Although a correlation can be observed between the presence of salivary periodontal pathogen and clinical signs of inflammation such as plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding, detection of specific bacteria in saliva is not related to the presence of localized AL based on the presented study population.     

牙周炎患者正畸治疗前后龈沟液中弹性蛋白酶的变化

摘要 目的：探讨牙周炎患者正畸治疗前后龈沟液中弹性蛋白酶的变化价值,希望为早期预测患者预后提供参考。方法：2016年12月到2019年10月选择在本院就诊的牙周炎患者68例作为研究对象,所有患者都给予正畸治疗,检测正畸治疗前后弹性蛋白酶、探诊深度(probing depth,PD)、出血指数(bleeding on probing,BOP)、附着丧失(attachment loss,AL)的变化,记录患者的病情变化、判定预后并进行相关性分析、影响因素分析。结果：所有患者完成治疗,对于正畸治疗的美观、固位、稳定性均满意。治疗后1个月与治疗后3个月患者的PD、BOP、AL都低于治疗前(P<0.05),治疗后3个月也低于治疗后1个月(P<0.05)。治疗后1个月与治疗后3个月患者的龈沟液弹性蛋白酶值都低于治疗前(P<0.05),治疗后3个月也低于治疗后1个月(P<0.05)。Spearman分析显示治疗前与治疗后3个月的龈沟液弹性蛋白酶变化差值与PD、BOP、AL变化差值存在显著正相关性(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归显示PD、BOP、AL变化差值作为影响龈沟液弹性蛋白酶变化差值的主要因素(P<0.05)。结论：牙周炎患者正畸治疗前后龈沟液中弹性蛋白酶水平显著下降,与患者的病情变化显著相关,也是反映与预测患者预后的重要指标。     

慢性牙周炎患者唾液中IL-17，miR-146a表达水平与疾病程度的相关性分析

目的:观察和分析慢性牙周炎(CP)患者唾液中白细胞介素-17(IL-17)、微小RNA-146a(miR-146a)表达水平与疾病程度的相关性。方法:选取80例CP患者作为病例组,选取80名健康志愿者作为对照组,对两组研究对象唾液样本中的IL-17、miRNA-146a表达水平进行检测和比较。对病例组患者的菌斑指数(PLI)、牙龈指数(GI)、牙周探诊深度(PD)和附着丧失(AL)等牙周病指标进行检测。结果:病例组患者唾液中IL-17、miR-146a表达水平显著高于对照组,两组之间的差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。随着疾病程度的加剧,患者唾液中IL-17、miR-146a表达水平也逐渐上升,各组之间的差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman等级相关分析结果显示,CP患者唾液中IL-17、miR-146a表达水平与牙周炎严重程度均呈正相关关系(P0.05)。直线相关分析结果显示,CP患者唾液中IL-17、miR-146a表达水平与PLI、GI、PD、AL等牙周炎临床指标均呈正相关关系(P0.05)。结论:CP患者表现为唾液中IL-17、miR-146a表达水平的显著升高,其表达水平与疾病严重程度和临床指标均具有相关性。     

Phospholipase A(2) Activity in Gingival Crevicular Fluid from Patients with Periodontal Disease: A possible Marker of Disease Activity

The activity of phospholipase A(2) in human gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) associated with periodontal disease was demonstrated. Based upon the presence or absence of bleeding on probing (BOP), which is a marker for the disease activity, there were higher levels of the enzyme activity in BOP positive, than in negative sites. When the BOP positive sites became negative after periodontal therapy, the enzyme activity decreased dramatically to almost undetectable levels. There were no significant differences between the activity before and after treatment when the BOP positive sites remained unchanged. These results suggest that the activity in GCF reflects periodontal disease conditions and that it can be used as a marker for disease activity.     

C-C chemokines in allergen-induced late-phase cutaneous responses in atopic subjects: association of eotaxin with early 6-hour eosinophils, and of eotaxin-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 with the later 24-hour tissue eosinophilia, and relationship to basophils and other C-C chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 and RANTES).

The relationship of expression of the C-C chemokines eotaxin, eotaxin 2, RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3), and MCP-4 to the kinetics of infiltrating eosinophils, basophils, and other inflammatory cells was examined in allergen-induced, late-phase allergic reactions in the skin of human atopic subjects. EG2+ eosinophils peaked at 6 h and correlated significantly with eotaxin mRNA and protein, whereas declining eosinophils at 24 h correlated significantly with eotaxin-2 and MCP-4 mRNA. In contrast, no significant correlations were observed between BB1+ basophil infiltrates, which peaked at 24 h, and expression of eotaxin, eotaxin-2, RANTES, MCP-3, and MCP-4 or elastase+ neutrophils (6-h peak), CD3+ and CD4+ T cells (24 h), and CD68+ macrophages (72 h). Furthermore, 83% of eosinophils, 40% of basophils, and 1% of CD3+ cells expressed the eotaxin receptor CCR3, while eotaxin protein was expressed by 43% of macrophages, 81% of endothelial cells, and 6% of T cells (6%). These data suggest that 1) eotaxin has a role in the early 6-h recruitment of eosinophils, while eotaxin-2 and MCP-4 appear to be involved in later 24-h infiltration of these CCR3+ cells; 2) different mechanisms may guide the early vs late eosinophilia; and 3) other chemokines and receptors may be involved in basophil accumulation of allergic tissue reactions in human skin.     

Effect of a subgingival chlorhexidine chip on the clinical parameters and the levels of alkaline phosphatase activity in gingival crevicular fluid during the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis

The main therapeutic approaches for inflammatory periodontal diseases include the mechanical treatment of root surfaces. Multi-center clinical trials have demonstrated that the adjunctive use of a chlorhexidine (CHX) chip is effective in improving clinical results compared to scaling and root planing (SRP) alone. However, some recent studies failed to confirm these clinical results, nor have any data been reported regarding the capability of the CHX chip in affecting the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). This enzyme has been related to a condition of destructive activity of periodontitis. The aim of this study is to provide further data on the clinical and biochemical effects of CHX chips when used as an adjunct to SRP. Eighty-two systemically healthy patients, aged 31-63, with moderate and advanced periodontitis were recruited from the departments of Periodontology of the University of Chieti. In each patient 2 experimental sites, located in two symmetric quadrants, were chosen with a probing depth of > or = 5 mm and bleeding on probing. The 2 sites were selected randomly at the split-mouth level; control sites received SRP alone, and test sites SRP plus 1 CHX chip. Clinical indices, including probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and the ALP activity in GCF were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed spectrophotometrically. The PPD and CAL were significantly lower at 6 months as compared to the baseline scores in both treatments (p less than 0.01). The PPD reduction was 2.7 mm in the CHX+SRP group and 1.9 mm in the SRP alone group. The CHX+SRP group showed a significantly greater gain of clinical attachment (mean: 1.4 mm) in comparison with the SRP group (mean: 0.9; p less than 0.05). No differences were observed in the decrease of the percent of BOP-positive sites between the experimental groups. Conversely, the CHX+SRP group underwent a significantly greater decrease (p less than 0.01) of the GCF-ALP activity 6 months after treatment in comparison with the SRP alone group. The adjunctive use of the CHX chip resulted in a significant improvement of pocket reduction and clinical attachment gain as compared with SRP alone. These results were concomitant with a significantly greater reduction of the GCF-ALP activity levels.     

Comparative effects of basophil-directed growth factors

IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF exert various overlapping functions in basophils. We investigated the receptor expression profiles and concentration-dependent effects of IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF on several basophil functions in comparison with their effects on eosinophils. The order of the receptor expression levels was IL-3Ralpha>IL-5Ralpha>GM-CSFRalpha in basophils and IL-5Ralpha>or=GM-CSFRalpha>IL-3Ralpha in eosinophils. Compared with eosinophils, basophils expressed a much higher level of IL-3Ralpha and similar levels of IL-5Ralpha and GM-CSFRalpha. The order of potency was IL-3>IL-5=GM-CSF for degranulation, survival, and CD11b expression in basophils, and IL-5=GM-CSF>or=IL-3 for survival and CD11b expression in eosinophils. However, IL-3 induced CD69 expression preferentially in basophils. Our results indicate that IL-3 is the most potent activator of human basophils, and that the rank order of potency of hemopoietic growth factors virtually corresponded to their receptor expression levels in both cell types.     

Effectiveness of ultrasonic instruments in the therapy of severe periodontitis: a comparative clinical-microbiological assessment with curettes

Patients with deep periodontal pockets were treated with either Vector System (TG) or manual instruments (CG). Clinical assessments by supragingival plaque (PL+), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and subgingival plaque collection for microbiological analysis were made prior to and after treatment. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola. GI, PD, CAL and the number of BOP+ sites underwent a significant reduction over time in both groups. When compared to baseline, the pair-wise analyses showed significantly lower PD and CAL at 6 months in the CG and significant reductions in the GI, PD, CAL and a number of BOP+ sites at 3 and 6 months in the TG. For microbiological results, significant reductions were seen for C. rectus and R. gingivalis in the CG and for T. forsythensis, E. corrodens and T. denticola in the TG. The total bacterial count underwent a reduction in both groups. Both ultrasonic and manual debridement are equally effective in non-surgical periodontal therapy of severe periodontitis in terms of clinical and microbiological effects.     

Major basic protein homolog (MBP2): a specific human eosinophil marker

Human eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP1) is an exceedingly basic (isoelectric point >11) 14-kDa protein, comprising the core of the secondary eosinophil granule. Recently, a less cationic homolog of MBP, termed MBPH or simply, MBP2, has been discovered. We prepared a panel of mAbs to MBP2 and used these Abs to localize and quantitate this molecule in leukocytes and biological fluids. Specific mAbs for MBP2 were selected using slot-blot analyses and used in a two-site immunoassay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy. The sensitivity of the immunoassay was markedly improved by reduction and alkylation of MBP2. MBP1 is more abundant than MBP2 in lysates of eosinophils and their granules, as judged by immunoassay and Western blotting. By immunofluorescence, MBP1 is present in eosinophils, basophils, and a human mast cell line (HMC1), whereas MBP2 is only detected in eosinophils. Neither MBP1 nor MBP2 could be detected in any other peripheral blood leukocyte. MBP2 levels measured in plasma and serum were essentially identical. In contrast to past measurements for MBP1, MBP2 was not detected above normal levels in sera from pregnant donors. However, measurement of serum MBP2 discriminated patients with elevated eosinophils from normal subjects, and MBP2 was also detectable in other biological specimens, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, and stool. These results indicate that MBP2 is present only in eosinophils and that it may be a useful biomarker for eosinophil-associated diseases.     

Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Reflection Are Increased in Patients Suffering from Severe Periodontitis

Aim

This single blind cross-sectional study compared the vascular health of subjects suffering from severe chronic periodontitis, severe aggressive periodontitis and periodontal healthy controls by evaluating pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) and pulse pressure amplification (PPA).

Material and Methods

In a total of 158 subjects, 92 suffering from severe periodontitis and 66 matched periodontal healthy controls, PWV, AIx, central and peripheral blood pressure were recorded using an oscillometric device (Arteriograph).

Results

Subjects suffering from severe chronic or aggressive periodontitis exhibited significantly higher PWV (p = 0.00004), higher AIx (p = 0.0049) and lower PPA (p = 0.028) than matched periodontal healthy controls.

Conclusions

The results of this study confirm the association between periodontal inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk shown by impaired vascular health in case of severe periodontitis. As impaired vascular health is a common finding in patients suffering from severe periodontal disease a concomitant routine cardiovascular evaluation may be advised.