Aliye Akcalı

Periodontal diseases and stress: a brief review

Periodontal diseases are common chronic inflammatory diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms colonising the subgingival area and inducing local and systemic elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in tissue destruction. Apparition and evolution of periodontal diseases are influenced by many local or systemic risk factors. Psychological stress has been suggested as one of them and may negatively influence the outcome of periodontal treatment. However, mechanisms explaining the possible relationship between stress and increased susceptibility to periodontal disease remain poorly understood. Several stress markers are found in blood and saliva of patients with periodontal diseases and influence the development of periodontal diseases by several mechanisms including modifications of the inflammatory response and changes in the composition of the dental biofilm. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into the relationship between psychological stress and periodontal diseases.

Is There an Interaction Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Gingival Inflammation

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TNF-α receptor-1 (TNF-αR1), TNF-αR2, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in non-obese females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and either clinically healthy periodontium or gingivitis. METHODS Thirty-one females with PCOS and healthy periodontium, 30 females with PCOS and gingivitis, and 12 systemically and periodontally healthy females were included in the study. GCF, saliva, and serum samples were collected, and clinical periodontal measurements, body mass index, and Ferriman-Gallwey score (FGS) were recorded. Sex hormones, cortisol, and insulin levels were measured. TNF-α, TNF-αR1, TNF-αR2, and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kruskal-Wallis followed by Bonferroni-corrected post hoc Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS The PCOS + gingivitis group revealed significantly higher GCF, saliva, and serum IL-6 concentrations than the PCOS + healthy group (P <0.0001). The two PCOS groups exhibited significantly higher saliva TNF-α concentrations than the control group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.013, respectively). The FGS index was significantly higher in the PCOS + gingivitis group than the PCOS + healthy group (P = 0.030). The PCOS + gingivitis group revealed significantly higher insulin concentration than the PCOS + healthy and control groups (P = 0.014 and P <0.0001, respectively). Serum TNF-α, TNF-αRs, and serum, GCF, and salivary IL-6 levels correlated with the clinical periodontal measurements. CONCLUSIONS PCOS and gingival inflammation appear to act synergistically on the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Thus, PCOS may have an impact on gingival inflammation or vice versa. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the possible relationship between PCOS and periodontal disease.

Is interleukin-17 involved in the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and gingival inflammation?

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder of females of reproductive age that impacts their oral and systemic health. The aim of this study is to evaluate interleukin-17A (IL-17A), IL-17F, IL-17A/F, and IL-17E (IL-25) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and serum of non-obese females with PCOS and with either a clinically healthy periodontium or gingivitis. METHODS Thirty-one females with PCOS, 30 females with PCOS and gingivitis, and 12 systemically and periodontally healthy females participated in the study. Clinical periodontal measurements, body mass index, and Ferriman-Gallwey score (FGS) (a measure of hirsutism in females) were recorded. Circulating levels of sex hormones, cortisol, and insulin were also determined. Levels of IL-17 cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The general linear model multivariate analysis, adjusting for age or plaque index, showed that the two groups with PCOS had higher concentrations of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F in serum and higher levels of IL-17A and IL-17F in GCF and saliva but lower serum IL-17E than systemically healthy females. Levels of IL-17E were lowest in females with PCOS and gingivitis who also had the highest FGS. Serum IL-17A and IL-17F levels correlated positively with FGS and periodontal probing depth (all ρ >0.33; P <0.005). Serum IL-17E showed the reverse relationship and also correlated negatively with IL-17A (ρ >-0.28; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS IL-17 levels are altered in non-obese females with PCOS and may influence gingival inflammation. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the relationship between PCOS and gingivitis.

Increased infection with key periodontal pathogens during gestational diabetes mellitus

AIM Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gingivitis, infection with specific periodontal pathogens and systemic inflammation each increase the risk for poor pregnancy outcome. We set out to monitor the interactions of gingivitis and GDM with respect to oral infection and the systemic inflammatory burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four case-control groups (n = 117) were recruited, (1) No gingivitis, No GDM (n = 27); (2) Gingivitis, No GDM (n = 31); (3) No gingivitis, GDM (n = 21); and (4) Gingivitis, GDM (n = 38). Oral infection with three key periodontal pathogens was determined by PCR. Systemic inflammation was determined by quantification of CRP by EIA. RESULTS Gingivitis during pregnancy was associated with oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor alocis and Treponema denticola and combinations thereof (all p < 0.01). GDM was also associated with increased infection with individual and multiple oral pathogens (all p < 0.05). Gingivitis during pregnancy led to a 325% increase in systemic CRP (mean, 2495 versus 8116 ng/ml, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes and gingivitis act in concert to increase risk biomarkers for poor pregnancy outcome.

Association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Oral Microbiota and Systemic Antibody Responses

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder of women that not only is the leading cause of infertility but also shows a reciprocal link with oral health. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that the levels of putative periodontal pathogens in saliva and their antibody response in serum are elevated in PCOS, compared to systemic health. A total of 125 women were included in four groups; 45 women with PCOS and healthy periodontium, 35 women with PCOS and gingivitis, 25 systemically and periodontally healthy women, 20 systemically healthy women with gingivitis. Salivary levels of seven putative periodontal pathogens were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and serum antibody levels were analyzed by ELISA. In women with PCOS, salivary Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus oralis and Tannerella forsythia levels were higher than matched systemically healthy women, particularly in the case of gingivitis. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Treponema denticola levels were similar among study groups. The presence of PCOS also enhanced P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and S. oralis serum antibody levels, when gingivitis was also present. Gingival inflammation correlated positively with levels of the studied taxa in saliva, particularly in PCOS. The presence of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum in saliva also exhibited a strong positive correlation with the corresponding serum antibody levels. In conclusion, as an underlying systemic endocrine condition, PCOS may quantitatively affect the composition of oral microbiota and the raised systemic response to selective members of this microbial community, exerting a confounding role in resultant gingival inflammation and periodontal health. The most consistent effect appeared to be exerted on P. gingivalis.

Evaluation of Biochemical Parameters and Local and Systemic Levels of Osteoactive and B-Cell Stimulatory Factors in Gestational Diabetes in the Presence or Absence of Gingivitis

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as varying glucose intolerance, with first onset or recognition in pregnancy. This study evaluates clinical and biochemical parameters in a possible association between GDM and gingivitis. METHODS A total of 167 pregnant females was included in the study. There were 101 females with GDM and 66 females without GDM. Subgroups were created according to the presence or absence of gingival inflammation. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing depth were recorded at four sites per tooth. Serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS Age and anthropometric indices were higher in the GDM than non-GDM group (P <0.0001). Clinical periodontal recordings, serum BAFF, IL-8, and saliva sRANKL levels were higher in the GDM group (P <0.05). Saliva IL-6 level was higher in the GDM with gingivitis group than non-GDM with gingivitis group (P = 0.044). Serum and GCF BAFF (P <0.0001), serum, saliva, and GCF APRIL (P <0.0001; P <0.0001; P = 0.032, respectively), GCF OPG (P = 0.036), and serum and saliva sRANKL (P <0.0001) were higher in the GDM with gingivitis group than GDM without gingivitis group. CONCLUSIONS The inflammatory response seems to be more pronounced in females with GDM. The observed increase in both local and systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines may suggest an interaction between gingivitis and GDM.

Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-8 in saliva and serum in polycystic ovary syndrome and association with gingival inflammation

This study aimed to investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) in saliva and serum samples of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n = 80) and matched systemically healthy controls (n = 45), with varying degrees of gingival inflammation. Salivary levels of MMP-8 and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly elevated in women with PCOS, who also exhibited more gingivitis than systemically healthy women. No major changes were observed in salivary TIMP-1 levels with regard to PCOS. Serum levels of MMP-8 and the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly higher in women with PCOS, irrespective of the presence of gingivitis, while there were no differences in TIMP-1 levels. A positive correlation was indicated between probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and salivary or serum MMP-8 levels or MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio in the case of PCOS, while a negative such correlation was revealed for TIMP-1 in systemically healthy women. Increased levels of MMP-8 in saliva and serum seem to be more pronounced in women with PCOS, and potentiated in the presence of gingival inflammation. Alterations in MMP/TIMP system triggered by local and systemic inflammation may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS, or the deterioration of its clinical presentation.

Exposure of Porphyromonas gingivalis to cortisol increases bacterial growth.

OBJECTIVE Psychological stress is considered as a risk factor for periodontal diseases. The stress-related hormone, cortisol is one of the main molecules released during human stress response and is found in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid. This hormone has been suggested to modify composition of subgingival biofilms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to cortisol on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS P. gingivalis ATCC strain 33277 was cultured under strict anaerobic conditions at 37°C in Brain Heart Infusion medium supplemented with hemin (5μgml(-1)) and menadione (1μgml(-1)). Bacterial cultures were incubated with or without hydrocortisone (0.04-10μgml(-1)) at 37°C for 12, 24 and 48h and bacterial growth was evaluated by spectrophotometric method (OD600nm). Cortisol consumption has been followed by HPLC. RESULTS Cortisol significantly increased P. gingivalis growth in the first 24h peaking at 12h but this increase was not related to the concentration used. During the time period, no consumption of cortisol was observed. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further support for the idea that stress-induced hormone; cortisol may influence the growth of P. gingivalis. This specific effect may be involved in the relationship between stress and periodontal diseases.

Gingival Inflammation and Salivary or Serum Granulocyte Secreted Enzymes in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND The objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate levels of salivary and serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and MMP-9/tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP)-1 ratio in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and systemically healthy controls in the presence or absence of gingivitis. METHODS Serum and salivary levels of these biomarkers were evaluated in the following: 1) periodontally healthy women with PCOS (n = 45); 2) women with PCOS and gingivitis (n = 35); 3) systemically and periodontally healthy women (n = 25); and 4) systemically healthy women with gingivitis (n = 20). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine levels of these biomarkers. A full-mouth clinical periodontal evaluation was performed for each patient. RESULTS Salivary MMP-9 and NE levels, as well as MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios, were higher in the systemically healthy women with gingivitis compared with periodontally healthy women with PCOS (P <0.001; P <0.01; and P <0.0001, respectively). Serum MMP-9 and MPO levels were higher in women with PCOS and gingivitis compared with periodontally healthy women with PCOS (P <0.05). Serum MMP-9 levels were lower in healthy women with gingivitis than systemically and periodontally healthy women or women with PCOS and gingivitis (P <0.05). PCOS groups exhibited a positive correlation among clinical periodontal parameters and serum MMP-9 levels or salivary MPO, NE levels, and MMP-9/MMP-1 ratio. Correlation was negative among clinical periodontal parameters and serum MMP-9 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in systemically healthy patients (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present findings emphasize that PCOS and gingival inflammation are associated with each other, as evidenced by salivary and serum levels of neutrophilic enzymes. This interaction may contribute to the perturbation of ovarian remodeling in PCOS.

Clinical periodontal status and inflammatory cytokines in gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare clinical periodontal findings as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-33 between women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS Serum and GCF samples were collected, full-mouth recordings comprising plaque index, bleeding on probing and probing depth were performed in 96 females with GDM (cases) and 65 non-diabetic pregnant females (controls). Age, smoking status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Serum and GCF IL-10, IL-33, TNF-α levels were determined. RESULTS The GDM group was significantly older than the control group with an age difference of 3.27 years (mean ages were 32.05 and 28.78 years, respectively) (p<0.0001). Plaque Index (50.0 and 30.0 p=0.005), bleeding on probing (50.0 and 30.0 p=0.003) values were significantly higher in the GDM group. Serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in the nonGDM group than the GDM group (p=0.001). GCF IL-10 concentrations and total amounts were significantly higher in the GDM group than the controls (p=0.004 and p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION Elevated GCF IL-10 levels may be a consequence of higher levels of inflammation as indicated by higher PI and BOP in the GDM group. However, the investigated clinical parameters may not have prominent effects on TNF-α and IL-33 levels. These findings provide further support for the importance of periodontal health during pregnancy.