lactoferrin and Periodontal-Pocket

This study compared lactoferrin (LF) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva between HIV-infected and noninfected patients with chronic periodontitis.. For each subject, LF levels were analyzed in one shallow site (SS; PD ≤3 mm), one deep site (DS; PD >5 mm) and in resting whole saliva. Two groups, 28 HIV-infected and 10 noninfected, were selected.. Although the salivary LF levels were higher in HIV-infected than in noninfected individuals, especially in AIDS patients, this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Subgingival LF levels for SS and DS were lower among HIV-infected individuals, although AIDS patients showed the lowest levels. Age, smoking, gender, T CD4 lymphocytes levels and viral load did not influence subgingival LF levels, neither for SS nor for DP. Positive fungal culture was observed in 24 HIV-infected patients, but only observed in one in the control group. Overall, LF concentration was significantly higher in DS than SS, both in HIV-infected and noninfected individuals (P < 0.05) and salivary LF levels were always higher than GCF levels.. The data indicate that LF levels in the GCF and saliva are not different between HIV-infected and noninfected patients with chronic periodontitis.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Candida albicans; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Chronic Periodontitis; Dental Plaque Index; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; HIV Infections; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Saliva; Sex Factors; Smoking; Tongue; Viral Load; Young Adult

Whole saliva is a complex mixture of fluids essential for the well-being of the oral hard and soft tissues. Saliva contains numerous antimicrobial proteins that help protect the oral ecosystem from infectious agents. Chronic periodontitis is an infectious chronic inflammatory condition that affects the tooth-supporting structures and leads to their destruction. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in concentrations of salivary lactoferrin in subjects with and without periodontal disease and correlate these values with clinical variables associated with periodontal disease.. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 17 subjects with chronic periodontitis and 17 periodontally healthy control subjects. Data relating to bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and horizontal bone loss were registered. Concentrations of lactoferrin, lysozyme and IgA in stimulated whole saliva were quantified using ELISA.. Subjects with chronic periodontits showed higher concentrations of lactoferrin in stimulated whole saliva compared with periodontally healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). Salivary concentrations of lactoferrin were positively correlated with bleeding on probing (p < 0.001) and the number of sites with probing pocket depth ≥ 6 mm (p < 0.001).. Lactoferrin is raised in stimulated whole saliva in subjects with chronic periodontitis and is correlated with probing pocket depth ≥ 6 mm.

Topics: Adult; Alveolar Bone Loss; Biomarkers; Chronic Periodontitis; Diabetes Complications; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Gingivitis; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontium; Radiography, Bitewing; Saliva; Smoking

Some patients suffering from aggressive periodontitis (Ag-P) also display neutrophil chemotaxis dysfunction. In this study, we attempted to identify the proteins involved in Ag-P associated with neutrophil chemotaxis dysfunction using proteome analysis.. A two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis system was used to detect differences in protein expression between neutrophils from four patients suffering from Ag-P combined with neutrophil chemotaxis dysfunction and those from four controls. Moreover, the mRNA levels of the proteins identified by the above method were examined in neutrophils from four types of subjects using the real-time polymerase chain reaction: twenty patients suffering from Ag-P with or without the dysfunction, 15 patients with chronic periodontitis, and 15 controls.. Four proteins, lactoferrin, caldesmon, heat shock protein 70, and stac, displayed a higher protein expression level in the neutrophils from the patients suffering from Ag-P combined with the neutrophil dysfunction than in those from the control group. The caldesmon mRNA levels in the neutrophils from the patients suffering from Ag-P combined with the neutrophil dysfunction were high compared with those in the neutrophils from the patients suffering from the other two types of periodontitis and those from the control group.. Caldesmon may be a marker of Ag-P combined with neutrophil chemotaxis dysfunction.

Topics: Adult; Aggressive Periodontitis; Biomarkers; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; Case-Control Studies; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Chronic Periodontitis; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Male; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neutrophils; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontium; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Proteome; RNA, Messenger; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Insufficient data exist regarding the longitudinal influence of involuntary smoking on periodontitis progression. This study examined the relationship between involuntary smoking and periodontitis progression and the effects of involuntary smoking on salivary inflammatory and microbiologic markers related to periodontitis.. Participants were recruited during annual health checkups in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, 200 of 273 (73%) Japanese employees examined at baseline underwent periodontal measurements, including clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing depth (PD). Periodontitis progression was identified when a subject displayed one or more teeth with an increase > or = 2.0 mm in CAL and PD during the 2 years. Salivary marker levels, including cotinine, were determined by enzyme assay, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The proportions of six periodontal pathogens in saliva were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction methodology. Based on receiver-operating characteristic analysis, non-, involuntary, and active smokers were defined as subjects exhibiting salivary cotinine levels of 0, 1 to 7, and > or = 8 ng/ml, respectively.. By simple logistic regression analysis, age, alcohol consumption, smoking, breakfast habits, and working hours were related to the risk for significant periodontitis progression. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significantly higher periodontitis odds ratios (OR) in involuntary (OR = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 4.83) and active (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.02 to 5.04) smokers relative to non-smokers following adjustment for covariates. Levels of salivary markers, including albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactoferrin, were significantly elevated in involuntary smokers relative to non-smokers. In contrast, the percentages of periodontal pathogens did not differ between the smoking groups, with the exception of Prevotella nigrescens, which displayed significantly lower levels in involuntary smokers compared to non-smokers.. Involuntary smoking increased the inflammatory response and was associated with a greater risk for periodontitis progression.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Albumins; Alcohol Drinking; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Biomarkers; Cotinine; Disease Progression; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Lactoferrin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Prevotella nigrescens; Risk Factors; Saliva; Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Work; Young Adult

The mechanism of passive smoking in terms of development of periodontitis has not been investigated. This study examined the effect of passive smoking on salivary markers related to periodontitis.. Periodontal status was evaluated on the basis of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level in 273 workers. Salivary marker levels were determined by enzyme assay including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Six periodontal pathogens in saliva were assessed using real-time PCR methodology. Non-, passive and active smokers were defined as subjects exhibiting salivary cotinine levels of 0 (53 subjects), 1-7 (118) and > or = 8 ng/ml (102).. Levels of salivary markers, including IL-1beta, lactoferrin, albumin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were elevated significantly in passive smokers relative to non-smokers. Additionally, these marker levels, with the exception of IL-1beta, decreased significantly in active smokers in comparison with passive smokers. However, no meaningful differences in percentages of periodontal pathogens were observed between non- and passive smokers. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each marker utilizing age, gender, cotinine level and periodontal status as independent variables. IL-1beta, albumin and AST were independently associated with cotinine level.. Passive smoke exposure leads to elevation of IL-1beta, albumin and AST levels in saliva.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Albumins; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Biomarkers; Cotinine; Female; Humans; Interleukin-1beta; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Prevotella intermedia; Prevotella nigrescens; Saliva; Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of neutrophilic granulocytes in patients with severe periodontitis and patients with gingivitis alone.. The study population comprised 22 patients with gingivitis and 44 with periodontitis. Samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from untreated patients with gingivitis and from shallow and deep pockets in untreated patients with periodontitis. GCF samples were analyzed for lactoferrin, elastase, matrix metalloproteinase-8 and -9, and collagenolytic activity.. The free elastase activity and the neutrophil activity, estimated as the ratio between elastase and lactoferrin, were significantly higher in the samples from the periodontitis patients. These differences were also observed in shallow pockets in periodontitis patients compared to similar pockets in patients with gingivitis.. This study shows higher levels of free elastase in untreated patients with periodontitis, relative to inflammation-matched controls, which may explain the tissue destruction seen in periodontitis.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Middle Aged; Neutrophil Activation; Neutrophils; Pancreatic Elastase; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Statistics, Nonparametric

The aim of the present study was to characterise microbiota and inflammatory host response around implants and teeth in patients with peri-implantitis. We included 17 partly edentulous patients with a total of 98 implants, of which 45 showed marginal bone loss of more than three fixture threads after the first year of loading. Nineteen subjects with stable marginal tissue conditions served as controls. Oral hygiene, gingival inflammation, and probing pocket depth were evaluated clinically at teeth and implants. Microbiological and crevicular fluid samples were collected from five categories of sites: 1) implants with peri-implantitis (PI), 2) stable implants (SI) in patients with both stable and peri-implantitis implants, 3) control implants (CI) in patients with stable implants alone, 4) teeth in patients (TP) and 5) controls (TC). Crevicular fluid from teeth and implants was analysed for elastase activity, lactoferrin and IL-1 beta concentrations. Elastase activity was higher at PI than at CI in controls. Lactoferrin concentration was higher at PI than at SI in patients with peri-implantitis. Higher levels of both lactoferrin and elastase activity were found at PI than at teeth in patients. The concentrations of IL-1 beta were about the same in the various sites. Microbiological DNA-probe analysis revealed a putative periodontal microflora at teeth and implants in patients and controls. Patients with peri-implantitis harboured high levels of periodontal pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus and Treponema denticola. These findings indicate a site-specific inflammation rather than a patient-associated specific host response.

Topics: Aged; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Alveolar Bone Loss; Bacteroides; Dental Implants; Dental Plaque Index; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Interleukin-1; Jaw, Edentulous, Partially; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Elastase; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Prevotella intermedia; Statistics, Nonparametric; Treponema

Tobacco smoking has considerable negative effects on periodontal health. The mechanisms behind these effects are incompletely understood but may be related to the host response. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoking on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of elastase, lactoferrin (LF), alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT), and alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha-2-MG) under periodontally diseased conditions.. The study population included 15 smokers (5 women and 10 men) aged 34 to 69 years and 17 non-smokers (5 women and 12 men) aged 31 to 81 years. Clinical registration of gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth, as well as sampling of GCF were made at 3 sites with severe lesions and 3 sites with moderate lesions in each individual. The elastase activity was measured with a chromogenic low molecular substrate and the LF, alpha-1-AT, and alpha-2-MG concentrations with ELISA.. The results showed that, with regard to severe lesions, smokers had a significantly lower concentration of alpha-2-MG as well as significantly lower total amounts of alpha-2-MG and alpha-1-AT than non-smokers. With regard to moderate lesions, smokers tended to exhibit a lower concentration of alpha-2-MG, but the difference was not statistically significant. Comparing moderate and severe lesions, smokers exhibited no gradual increase with disease severity in contrast to non-smokers, who showed significantly or almost significantly increased levels of LF and alpha-2-MG in severe as compared to moderate lesions.. The present results indicate that the levels of alpha-2-MG and alpha-1-AT are suppressed in smokers with periodontitis, suggesting that smoking interferes with these protease inhibitors. This may be one mechanism by which smoking affects the inflammatory response.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alkaline Phosphatase; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; alpha-Macroglobulins; Analysis of Variance; Dental Plaque Index; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Elastase; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Smoking; Statistics, Nonparametric

Concentrations and output of lactoferrin and of low-Mr mucin MG2 were determined in saliva of subjects suffering from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans-associated periodontal disease and healthy subjects. Periodontal patients were clinically examined and a microbiological sample was taken from the deepest bleeding pockets in each quadrant. The number of viable A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined in the sampled sites of each patient. The MG2 output in the diseased subjects (13.6 microg protein/min) was decreased at least by a factor three compared to periodontal healthy subjects (44.3 microg protein/min). On the other hand, output of lactoferrin was not significantly different in healthy (9.5 microg/min) and diseased subjects (7.6 microg/min). Western analyses demonstrated a higher iron-saturation of lactoferrin in diseased subjects in comparison with the healthy subjects. Lactoferrin degrading enzymes, probably derived from microbial sources, could be detected in saliva of the periodontally diseased subjects, but not in saliva of healthy subjects. The combination of iron-saturation and degradation of lactoferrin suggests that anti-microbial properties of lactoferrin are diminished in periodontitis patients. Moreover, the low concentration of mucin MG2 suggests a decline in mucin defence and consequently a higher susceptibility for oral infection. A negative correlation (r= -0.4, p < 0.05) between the number of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans and lactoferrin in saliva suggested that low concentrations of lactoferrin favour the growth of the bacterium. These data indicate that a decline in the salivary defence system might increase the risk for oral infection by A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Topics: Actinobacillus Infections; Adolescent; Adult; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Albumins; Blotting, Western; Colony Count, Microbial; Cystatins; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Humans; Immunoblotting; Iron; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Mucins; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Risk Factors; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides

In the process of host defence against microbial challenge, neutrophils release granule contents with the potential side effect of damaging structural tissues. In the junctional epithelium such damage may contribute to the degeneration and renewal of the epithelial cells attached directly to the tooth (DAT cells), and subsequently to periodontal pocket formation. This study reports on lactoferrin, one of the substances released by neutrophils, and its effects on epithelial cell adhesion, growth, DNA synthesis and spreading of cell colonies at concentrations recorded in the crevicular fluid. We show that, in opposition to what has been reported on bacterial cells, lactoferrin has no effect on the DNA synthesis of attached epithelial cells in model systems attempting to simulate the DAT cells in vivo. However, both iron-saturated and unsaturated lactoferrin hampered cell adhesion, growth and spreading of cell colonies in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that lactoferrin does not affect epithelial cell proliferation but it may have a role in delaying the repair of the DAT cell population during inflammation by interfering with cell adhesion.

Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Autoradiography; Bacteria; Bromodeoxyuridine; Cell Adhesion; Cell Death; Cell Degranulation; Cell Division; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Cells, Cultured; Child; Cytoplasmic Granules; DNA; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epithelial Attachment; Epithelial Cells; Gingiva; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Inflammation; Iron; Lactoferrin; Mouth Mucosa; Neutrophils; Periodontal Ligament; Periodontal Pocket; Radiopharmaceuticals; Skin; Swine; Thymidine; Tritium

The present study was designed to determine in a cross-sectional study whether there was any relationship between the levels of lactoferrin in gingival crevicular fluid and clinical periodontal parameters. Crevicular fluid was collected from individual sites using standardized filter paper strips (clinically healthy sites, N = 23; periodontitis sites, n = 66) and evaluated for lactoferrin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data showed that: (1) the total amounts of lactoferrin were 0.003-0.021 ng (30 second sample) (average 0.009 +/- 0.005 ng) in a clinically healthy periodontium group and 0.016-3.847 ng (30 second sample) (average 0.575 +/- 0.069 ng) in adult periodontitis patients (statistically significantly higher in adult periodontitis patients); and (2) the total amounts of lactoferrin were significantly correlated with clinical parameters, especially a strong positive correlation with gingival crevicular fluid volume (r = 0.85, p < 0.01) and with probing depth (r = 0.71, p < 0.01). These results indicated that quantification of lactoferrin in gingival crevicular fluid may be a more sensitive indicator of periodontal pathology than traditional clinical indices.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Biomarkers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Plaque Index; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Periodontium

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether incipient periodontal disease breakdown could be associated with changes in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) acute-phase protein levels. In addition, the potential of clinical indices to act as predictors of significant attachment level (AL) change was investigated. AL measurements were taken at baseline and 3 months using the Florida Probe stent handpiece from a total of 384 sites in 38 patients. The average standard deviation of duplicate AL measurements was 0.423. When the tolerance method was used to detect significant AL change, 3.9% of the sites lost attachment. When a less stringent criterion of AL change of > or = 1 mm was used 9.9% of the sites lost attachment during the 3-month period. With the exception of probing depth, baseline clinical parameters failed to predict AL change. Fourteen active periodontitis sites that demonstrated significant attachment loss were paired to stable periodontitis sites within the same patient. The levels of four acute-phase proteins, namely alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), transferrin (TF) and lactoferrin (LF), and also albumin (Alb) were assessed in the same gingival crevicular fluid sample using sandwich ELISAs. Results were expressed either as ng/30 s and ng/microgram Alb. Acute-phase protein levels in GCF failed to differentiate between active and stable periodontitis sites at baseline. In conclusion, the degree of gingival inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the crevice/pocket seems to influence the levels of protease inhibitors and iron-binding proteins in GCF to a greater extent than probing attachment loss.

Topics: Acute-Phase Proteins; Adult; Aged; Albumins; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; alpha-Macroglobulins; Carrier Proteins; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Forecasting; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Iron-Binding Proteins; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis; Protease Inhibitors; Receptors, Transferrin; Transferrin; Transferrin-Binding Proteins

The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal association of selected non-immune anti-microbial host factors (peroxidases, lysozyme and lactoferrin) to the localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) disease status.. Peroxidases, lysozyme and lactoferrin were quantitated from seven patients with LJP before and after periodontal therapy. Analyses were performed from simultaneously collected samples of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF from diseased sites) and paraffin-stimulated whole saliva. Similar assays were done also from seven periodontally healthy controls.. During untreated phase of LJP myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin concentrations were remarkably elevated in peripheral blood PMNs, also reflected in their high concentrations in GCF. All these values normalised with respect to healthy controls during the periodontal therapy. No similar longitudinal changes were seen in whole saliva but during therapy salivary peroxidase concentrations declined below the control values, in accordance with our previous observations in parotid saliva samples of LJP patients.. In LJP the concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase are significantly elevated in peripheral blood PMNs, also reflected in GCF. During periodontal therapy these values decline and approach those observed in healthy controls. No similar changes are seen in stimulated whole saliva.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aggressive Periodontitis; Case-Control Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Peroxidases; Saliva; Time Factors

This study examined lactoferrin (LF) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and set out to test the hypothesis that LF could act as a marker of crevicular polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted: (a) to quantify total LF (ng/30 s sample) in GCF; (b) to correlate LF levels (ng/microliters) and PMN numbers (PMNs/microliters) in gingival crevicular washings (GCW). GCF was collected from 71 sites in a total of 22 patients. These sites were classified on the basis of clinical indices of gingivitis (GI) and pocket depth (PD) into three clinical groups: 'healthy', 'gingivitis' and 'periodontitis'. GCWs were obtained from an additional 63 sites in 21 patients. LF in GCF and GCWs was assayed by a sandwich ELISA. Total leucocyte and differential counts were performed on the GCWs. GCF LF (ng/30 s) correlated positively with GI (r = 0.418, p < 0.001), PD (r = 0.415, p < 0.001) and GCF volume (r = 0.624, p < 0.001). Gingivitis (n = 21) and periodontitis sites (n = 24) demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.05) total GCF LF than healthy (n = 26) sites. In GCWs LF (ng/microliters) showed stronger correlations with clinical indices (GI: r = 0.452, PD: r = 0.513, p < 0.001) than did PMN numbers (PMNs/microliters) (GI: r = 0.279, PD: r = 0.388, p < 0.05). LF correlated strongly with PMNs in GCWs (r = 0.531, p < 0.001) and provides a simple and effective marker of crevicular PMN numbers.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Cell Movement; Female; Gingiva; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Pocket; Periodontitis

The local, saliva-associated defense mechanisms of 28 juvenile periodontitis (JP) patients and their age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, and thiocyanate concentrations were determined from both whole saliva and parotid saliva. The total concentrations of salivary IgA, IgG, and IgM were assayed. The periodontal condition and the salivary flow rates were registered. Among the JP patients, a significantly elevated concentration of IgG was found in parotid saliva but not in whole saliva. Salivary peroxidase activities were significantly low both in the whole and in the parotid saliva samples of the JP patients, and leukocyte-derived myeloperoxidase was present in significantly low amounts in whole saliva of these patients. Because both glandular (salivary peroxidase) and polymorphonuclear-cell-derived (myeloperoxidase) enzyme activities were low among the JP patients, suppressed peroxidase-mediated host defense mechanisms could be characteristic of JP.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aggressive Periodontitis; Amylases; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Periodontal Pocket; Peroxidase; Peroxidases; Saliva