Effect of periodontitis and smoking on blood leukocytes and acute-phase proteins.
BACKGROUND
We have previously found hyperreactive neutrophils, intrinsic or induced, in periodontitis patients by in vitro quantitation of free oxygen radicals. The effects of periodontitis and cigarette smoking on blood parameters have generally been described separately. Our aim was to compare these systemic effects of periodontitis and cigarette smoking, separately and in combination, in order to study the hyperreactivity in peripheral neutrophils.


METHODS
Blood cells and acute-phase proteins were studied in 40 periodontitis patients and 43 healthy controls. The generation of free oxygen radicals from neutrophils was measured as luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) after activation of their Fcgamma receptors with opsonized Staphylococcus aureus.


RESULTS
An increase in CL in peripheral neutrophils from periodontitis patients was confirmed. Smoking had no significant effect on CL. The periodontitis patients had higher concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) than the controls. ANOVA analysis showed that the increase in neutrophil count, haptoglobin, and alpha-1 antitrypsin levels was significantly influenced by cigarette smoking. IgG2 was lower in patients than in controls (P <0.017, ANOVA), and there was an interaction between periodontitis and smoking (P<0.047, ANOVA). The lower concentration of IgG2 in patients who smoke may impair neutrophil function and be a mechanism by which smoking aggravates periodontitis.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the combination of periodontitis and cigarette smoking alters the parameters studied. The effects of periodontitis on CRP and IgG2 means that periodontal lesions may also leak agents, priming the peripheral neutrophils to increased CL.
Fredriksson
M I
MI
Karolinska Institutet, Institution of Odontology, Division of Periodontology, Stockholm, Sweden. Margareta.Fredriksson@ofa.ki.se
Figueredo
C M
CM
Gustafsson
A
A
Bergström
K G
KG
Asman
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D018375:Neutrophil Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein