title: C-reactive protein in gingival crevicular fluid may be indicative of systemic inflammation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Periodontitis is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) in both serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Although the liver is the primary source of CRP, extra-hepatic production of CRP has been reported. This study aimed to determine whether CRP in GCF is produced locally in the gingivae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gingivae and GCF were collected from non-periodontitis and periodontitis sites. Presence of CRP in gingivae was assessed by immunohistochemistry. CRP in GCF was measured using ELISA. Gene expression for CRP in gingivae was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRP was found in both the gingivae and GCF. No gingivae had detectable amounts of CRP mRNA. Not all patients with periodontitis had detectable levels of CRP in the GCF. Some non-periodontitis patients had detectable levels of CRP in the GCF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRP in the GCF appears to be of systemic origin, and therefore may be indicative of systemic inflammation from either a periodontal infection or inflammatory disease elsewhere. The correlation between levels of CRP in GCF and serum requires validation in future studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Megson
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fitzsimmons
authors.forename: Kencana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dharmapatni
authors.forename: P Mark
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bartold
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002097:C-Reactive Protein