The changes in the T-lymphocyte subsets in a population of Turkish children with puberty gingivitis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the number of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, analyse subjects with gingivitis and those without, and determine the role of T lymphocytes in the pathobiology of puberty gingivitis.


METHODS
Fifty individuals with and without puberty gingivitis were recruited for this study. The CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocyte counts were determined using flow cytometry on the biopsy samples, and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was calculated. At the same time, periodontal index scores were recorded to assess the periodontal status. Acquired data were analysed statistically using a paired t-test to compare laboratory values obtained before and after the treatment in individuals with puberty gingivitis and disease-free individuals. In addition, Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relation between laboratory values and clinical measurements.


RESULTS
The CD4(+)/CD8 ratio in gingival tissues obtained from test group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that found in the gingival tissue obtained from control group. We found that the CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte counts continued to increase significantly (P < 0.001) and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio continued to drop significantly (P < 0.05) after treatment in test group.


CONCLUSIONS
T lymphocytes could play a significant role in the pathobiology of puberty gingivitis.
Demir
Turgut
T
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. turgdemir@hotmail.com
Orbak
Recep
R
Tezel
Adnan
A
Canakç
Varol
V
Kaya
Hasan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011627:Puberty / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology*; D014421:Turkey