title: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Epstein-Barr Virus Are Associated With Increased Levels of Visfatin in Gingival Crevicular Fluid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little clinical information on the relationship between periodontopathogens and visfatin. The purpose of this study is to determine visfatin levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of healthy individuals and patients with periodontitis and to investigate the possible relationship between this adipokine and the presence and levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescense, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen healthy individuals and 27 patients with periodontitis were included in this study. GCF and plaque samples were obtained from all individuals. Visfatin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the bacterial numbers were evaluated by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with periodontitis, the visfatin levels in the GCF (mean: 84.29 ng/mL; range: 63.8 to 108.9 ng/mL) were significantly higher compared with those of the healthy individuals (mean: 38.06 ng/mL; range: 13.8 to 89.02 ng/mL) (P <0.01). There was a positive correlation between the visfatin levels and P. gingivalis (r = 0.266, P <0.05), whereas no correlation was found between visfatin levels and other microorganisms. In addition, the visfatin levels were found to be higher in individuals in whom P. gingivalis was detected than for those without P. gingivalis (P <0.01). The visfatin levels were also found to be higher in individuals in whom EBV was detected (P <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study is the first one to show the correlation of periodontopathogens and GCF visfatin levels. P. gingivalis colonization of the periodontal pockets may increase visfatin secretion. Furthermore, the presence of EBV in the plaque may be another factor that causes an increase in visfatin levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Center of Oral Health, Gülhane Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Özcan
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Center of Oral Health, Gülhane Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: N Işıl
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Saygun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Acıbadem University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhittin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Serdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Center of Oral Health, Gülhane Military Hospital.
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kubar
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Center of Oral Health, Gülhane Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: V Umut
authors.initials: VU
authors.lastname: Bengi
mesh_terms: D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; D010518:Periodontitis; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis
chemical_list: D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase
keywords: Epstein-Barr virus infections; Porphyromonas gingivalis; nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase; periodontitis