title: Quantitative evaluation of the vasculature and fibronectin localization in gingival connective tissue of smokers and non-smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that tobacco is a significant risk factor for periodontal disease. The reason for decreased gingival bleeding in smokers is not known. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the localization of fibronectin in the extracellular matrix of the inflamed gingiva of smokers and non-smokers and to evaluate the chronic effect of smoking on the gingival microvessel number (NVES) and vascular surface density (VSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four (74) adult patients with periodontitis were included in this investigation. Of these patients, 38 were smokers and 36 were non-smokers. Probing depths (PD), papillary bleeding index (PBI) of both groups, and the smoking habits of the smokers were recorded. Biopsy specimens obtained during periodontal surgery were prepared to evaluate fibronectin distribution and to quantitate the vasculature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean VSD values of smokers and non-smokers were 6.721 +/- 1.845 and 5.721 +/- 3.118 (mean +/- SD), and the mean NVES of smokers and non-smokers was 31.582 +/- 11.810 and 30.145 +/- 15.442, respectively. The difference between the mean PD and PBI values of the 2 groups was not statistically significant. The location of the biopsy specimen, whether in the anterior or posterior area of the mouth, did not lead to any statistically significant differences between the groups. In addition, the number of years smoked and the tobacco brand used did not result in statistically significant differences. The most intense staining of fibronectin was observed beneath the epithelium around the blood vessels of the uppermost region of the connective tissue, showing a fibrillar and diffuse distribution; however, there was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicate that smoking does not affect the vascular surface density, number of vessels per mm2 stroma, or fibronectin distribution in subepithelial gingival connective tissue.
authors.affiliation: Ege University, School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. sule@bornova.ege.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Tülay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Canda
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozkara
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001706:Biopsy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry; D004848:Epithelium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins