title: Can periodontal infection induce genotoxic effects?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, through micronuclei, and apoptosis by the sum of karyorrhexis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin in individuals with chronic periodontitis, gingivitis associated with biofilm and no periodontal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 72 individuals divided into three groups: gingivitis (n = 21), periodontitis (n = 24) and control (n = 27). Information on sociodemographic characteristics, health and lifestyle was obtained. Full mouth clinical examination was performed to define the periodontal condition. Exfoliated cells from gingival mucosa were collected for computation of micronuclei and nuclear changes indicative of apoptosis. The differences in the occurrence of endpoints (micronucleus, karyorrhexis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin) were evaluated using the conditional test to compare proportions in a rare events situation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of micronucleus (p > 0.1) between gingivitis, periodontitis and control groups. The occurrence of apoptosis was significantly higher among individuals with periodontitis compared to individuals with gingivitis (p < 0.05) and controls (p < 0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings showed that the inflammatory process generated by gingivitis and periodontitis is not related to a higher occurrence of chromosomal damage. However, the higher occurrence of apoptosis in individuals with periodontitis points to genotoxic effects induced by periodontal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Feira de Santana State University , Bahia , Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo de Tarso Jambeiro
authors.initials: Pde T
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Isaac Suzart
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gomes-Filho
authors.forename: Simone Seixas
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Johelle de Santana
authors.initials: Jde S
authors.lastname: Passos-Soares
authors.forename: Soraya Castro
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Trindade
authors.forename: Leonardo da Cunha Menezes
authors.initials: Lda C
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: José Roberto Cardoso
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Meireles
authors.forename: Eneida de Moraes Marcílio
authors.initials: Ede M
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D018441:Biofilms; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective; D008875:Middle Aged; D016296:Mutagenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000235:genetics; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin
keywords: apoptosis; gingivitis; micronucleus; periodontitis