Gingival crevicular fluid levels of leukotriene B4 in periodontal health and disease.
BACKGROUND
Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a membrane-derived lipid mediator formed from arachidonic acid. LTB(4) is among the most potent stimulants of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and, thus, participates in tissue injury by recruiting PMNs in a pathophysiologic scenario of periodontal diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between clinical parameters and concentrations of LTB(4) within gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from inflamed gingiva and periodontitis sites before and after the treatment of periodontitis.


METHODS
Sixty subjects were divided into three groups with 20 subjects in each group: healthy (group 1), gingivitis (group 2), and chronic periodontitis (group 3). Groups were based on periodontal disease index (PDI), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and radiographic evidence of bone loss. Group 4 consisted of the subjects in group 3 at 6 to 8 weeks after treatment, i.e., scaling and root planing (SRP). GCF samples collected from each patient were quantified for LTB(4) using an enzymatic immunometric assay. In addition, the correlation between in situ LTB(4) levels and clinical parameters was analyzed in each group.


RESULTS
The highest mean LTB(4) concentration in GCF was observed in group 3 (185.2 pg/microl), and the lowest was observed in group 1 (39.6 pg/microl). Its level in group 3 decreased to 79.35 pg/microl after treatment (group 4). Further, GCF LTB(4) levels in all groups showed a statistically significant positive correlation with PDI and CAL (P <0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
The substantial increase in GCF LTB(4) concentrations with the severity of periodontal disease and a concomitant decrease in its level following SRP in subjects with periodontitis suggest a possible role for LTB(4) in the progression of periodontal disease.
Pradeep
A R
AR
Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. periodontics_gdc@yahoo.co.in
Manjunath
S G
SG
Swati
Pradeep Patel
PP
Shikha
Chowdhry
C
Sujatha
Pai B
PB
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D012534:Dental Scaling; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015415:Biomarkers; D007975:Leukotriene B4