A longitudinal study of various crevicular fluid components as markers of periodontal disease activity

Abstract In order to examine the relationship of possible crevicular biochemical parameters to attachment loss (ALOSS), 330 sites from & untreated adult patients were monitored longitudinally at 3-month intervals, for up to 1 year. Attachment levels were measured with a force-sensing probe and an acrylic stent in duplicates at each study point. Crevicular samples were collected and used for the determination of the following 11 markers: number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagenase (COL), β-glucuromdase (BG), antigenic and functional elastase (AEL and FEL), α-1 antitrypsin (alAT), α-2 macroglobulin (a2M) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). 10 sites with ALOSS of 1.5 mm per 3 months (active sites) and 43 sites with negligible changes (inactive sites) were identified. Total amounts of ALP, BG and COL were found to be significantly higher in active as compared to inactive sites, prior to significant ALOSS, without any significant differences in crevicular fluid volume and clinical indices. When biochemical parameters were expressed as ratios to the number of PMNs, PGE₂/PMNs was significantly elevated in active sites. The capacity of such individual parameters to distinguish between active and inactive sites was limited. However, linear discriminant analysis using total amounts of PGE₂, COL, ALP, a2M, OC and AEL showed more significant diagnostic values (sensitivity: 80%. specificity: 91%). These findings suggest that the combination of several biochemical parameters in crevicular fluid could give more information to predict future clinical ALOSS.     

Effect of smoking on gingival crevicular fluid cytokine profile during experimental gingivitis

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, able to influence both the subgingival microbiota and host responses. AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of smoking on the amount of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during experimental gingivitis in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two healthy subjects, 10 smokers and 12 non-smokers, participated in the study. After professional cleaning, they performed optimal hygiene to reach perfect clinical gingival health. Oral hygiene measures were ceased for a period of 10 days. Clinical indices, including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP), were assessed 2 days before (day -2), at the beginning (day 0) and at the end of the experimental gingivitis period (day 10). At the same time, GCF was collected from 12 sites in each patient, by means of durapore filter membranes. Total amounts of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. RESULTS: Clinical data revealed that both smokers and non-smokers showed an increase in PI, GI and BOP scores during the experiment. Although no differences were noted with regard to PI at day 10, the GI and BOP were significantly less pronounced in smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.005). Non-smokers showed higher total amounts of IL-4 but lower amounts of IL-8 than smokers, throughout the experiment. Total amounts of IL-1beta and IL-8 increased significantly during plaque accumulation in both groups. IL-4 remained stable for the smoker group and decreased for the non-smoker group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that smoking interferes with cytokine production. When performing studies regarding the pathogenesis of periodontitis, the smoking status of the participants needs to be taken into consideration.     

Association of breast cancer risk loci with breast cancer survival

The survival of breast cancer patients is largely influenced by tumor characteristics, such as TNM stage, tumor grade and hormone receptor status. However, there is growing evidence that inherited genetic variation might affect the disease prognosis and response to treatment. Several lines of evidence suggest that alleles influencing breast cancer risk might also be associated with breast cancer survival. We examined the associations between 35 breast cancer susceptibility loci and the disease over‐all survival (OS) in 10,255 breast cancer patients from the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3) of which 1,379 died, including 754 of breast cancer. We also conducted a meta‐analysis of almost 35,000 patients and 5,000 deaths, combining results from BPC3 and the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and performed in silico analyses of SNPs with significant associations. In BPC3, the C allele of LSP1‐rs3817198 was significantly associated with improved OS (HR_per‐allele=0.70; 95% CI: 0.58–0.85; p_trend = 2.84 × 10^?4; HR_{heterozygotes} = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.55–0.92; HR_homozygotes = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.31–0.76; p_2DF = 1.45 × 10^?3). In silico, the C allele of LSP1‐rs3817198 was predicted to increase expression of the tumor suppressor cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C). In the meta‐analysis, TNRC9‐rs3803662 was significantly associated with increased death hazard (HR_META =1.09; 95% CI: 1.04–1.15; p_trend = 6.6 × 10^?4; HR_{heterozygotes} = 0.96 95% CI: 0.90–1.03; HR_homozygotes = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.09–1.35; p_2DF=1.25 × 10^?4). In conclusion, we show that there is little overlap between the breast cancer risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified so far and the SNPs associated with breast cancer prognosis, with the possible exceptions of LSP1‐rs3817198 and TNRC9‐rs3803662.     

Effect of nicotine-treated epithelial cells on the proliferation and collagen production of gingival fibroblasts

BACKGROUND, AIMS: Several in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that tobacco smoking may be an important risk factor for the development and severity of inflammatory periodontal disease. METHOD: In the present study, we developed an in vitro model to study the interactions between nicotine-treated epithelial cells (EC) and gingival fibroblasts (GF) derived from the same patient. EC were treated with nicotine concentrations varying from 1 microg/ml to 500 microg/ml and their effect on different functions of GF was studied. The proliferation of GF was evaluated by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. A dose-dependent inhibition was observed with nicotine concentrations > or =100 microg/ml. Similar results were observed when studying the total protein synthesis of GF by incorporation of 3H-proline into non-dialyzable material. RESULTS: When collagen production was evaluated by 3H-proline incorporation into collagenase-sensitive protein, a dose-dependent reduction was observed: the degree of inhibition varied from 25% with 50 microg/ml nicotine, to almost 60% with 500 microg/ml. Interestingly, the production of non-collagenous proteins decreased by almost 50% only when EC were treated with the highest concentration of nicotine. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that epithelial cells, acting as mechanical barrier, can reduce but not completely eliminate the deleterious effect of nicotine on gingival fibroblasts.     

Clinical and laboratory study of ocular rosacea in northern Greece

Background The prevalence of ophthalmic involvement in rosacea is probably higher than previously presumed and varies considerably among several studies. Objective This study aimed to determine the incidence of ocular disease among a population of rosacea patients in Northern Greece, to objectively determine the presence of eye dryness in rosacea patients with and without clinical ophthalmic involvement and correlate the severity of ocular disease with the severity of cutaneous rosacea. Methods One hundred patients with rosacea were assessed for the stage of their disease and examined for ocular symptoms and signs. In 24 of them the tear break up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test were performed in each eye, along with 24 controls. Results A total of 33 patients (33%) were positive for ophthalmic findings. The most frequent symptoms and signs were burning sensation and tearing, and conjunctivitis and blepharitis, respectively. Eleven patients with ophthalmic manifestations had mild to moderate erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, 17 had moderate papulopustular rosacea and four exhibited findings of phymatous rosacea. The total mean value of patients’ Schirmer tests was significantly lower compared with the healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Mean TBUT was shorter in the rosacea group than that in the age‐matched controls (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Ocular involvement in rosacea is a common phenomenon with eye dryness being an early sign. Tear function tests, like Schirmer test and TBUT, although not specific, could contribute to the screening and early diagnosis of the disease, to prevent the potential development of sight‐threatening conditions.     

Association of chronic plaque psoriasis and severe periodontitis: a hospital based case‐control study

Background Both chronic plaque psoriasis and periodontitis have an increasing prevalence worldwide and have been associated with the metabolic syndrome; however limited information is available on their association. Objective To evaluate the possible association of severe periodontitis and chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods This was a hospital based case‐control study. Chronic plaque psoriasis patients and age‐ and gender‐matched controls have been recruited. Baseline demographic data have been recorded. To explore correlations between different dichotomous variables the Sperman Rho correlation coefficient was used. Correlations were further explored non‐parametrically and univariate and multivariate logistic regression was utilized after adjustment for the effect of confounders. Results During the study enrolment period 100 patients with CPP and 100 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were included in this study. Mean age for both groups was 57.2 ± 5.3 years. 43% of patients and controls were males. Significant correlations where noted between psoriasis and 1) periodontitis (rho = 0.219, P = 0.02) and 2) metabolic syndrome (rho = 0.191, P = 0.07) using Spearman’s Rho correlation co‐efficient. Univariate logistic regression reported significant relations between psoriasis and periodontitis (OR = 3.329, 95%CI: 1.513–7.324, P = 0.003) and psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.293, 95%CI: 1.250–4.207, P = 0.007). On the contrary, a non‐significant relation between psoriasis and active smoking status was detected (OR = 1.041, 95%CI: 0.597–1.817, P = 0.887). In a multivariate analysis model we found a significant correlation of psoriasis and periodontitis when controlled for the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.486, 95%CI: 1.002–5.842, P = 0.049). Conclusion Periodontitis may be associated with psoriasis but further studies are required to elucidate their relationship in the context of the biologic plausibility.