Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human periodontal tissues: comparison of healthy and diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces proliferation of endothelial cells, stimulates angiogenesis, and increases vascular permeability, but information about its role in periodontal lesions is limited. The aim of this study is to determine the association between VEGF expression in healthy and periodontally diseased tissues of healthy and diabetic patients.


METHODS
Ten systemically healthy and 10 Type 2 diabetic patients (DM) all diagnosed with periodontitis were enrolled into the study. Gingival samples were collected from both periodontal and healthy sites in all patients. Each patient served as his/her own control. Additionally, 10 people without any systemic or periodontal diseases were enrolled as a negative control group.


RESULTS
In the negative control group tissue samples, no VEGF expression was observed. Among the 10 systemically healthy people, no evidence of VEGF was observed in healthy gingival samples, but was found in diseased tissues in 2 cases. In the diabetic patients, VEGF was observed in 4 healthy gingival tissues and in 6 periodontal sites. VEGF was intensely present in monocytes and macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that VEGF is increased in gingival tissues of diabetic patients, especially those with periodontal disease.
Unlü
Füsun
F
Ege University School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Izmir, Turkey. fusun_u@yahoo.com
Güneri
Pelin Gürdal
PG
Hekimgil
Mine
M
Yeşilbek
Banu
B
Boyacioğlu
Hayal
H
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors