title: Evaluation of beta-2 microglobulin and alpha-2 macroglobulin levels in patients with different periodontal diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) and alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M) play key roles in the immune system. The aim of this study was to compare B2M and A2M levels in patients with different periodontal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients (20 periodontally healthy, 20 with gingivitis, 20 with chronic periodontitis and 20 with generalized aggressive periodontitis) were enrolled in the study. The analysis of B2M and A2M was performed on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in GCF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total levels of B2M and A2M were statistically lower in the periodontally healthy group than in the other groups (p < 0.05) and significantly higher in the generalized aggressive periodontitis group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  B2M and A2M play key roles in the balance between periodontal health and disease. It is proposed that tissues release B2M and A2M to stop inflammation and inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms and this may be the reason for the high levels of B2M and A2M in the generalized aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis groups. B2M and A2M are assumed to be user-friendly and cost-effective markers for periodontal disease to identify asymptomatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. ertugrulseckin@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ertugrul
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dikilitas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alpaslan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozoglan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin