metallothionein and Periodontitis

Periodontitis (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are causally linked by their common inflammatory responses, yet it is largely unknown if these inflammatory responses might have an impact on salivary metallothionein (MT), zinc (Zn), and calcium (Ca) content. In this study, we analysed salivary concentrations of pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines, as well as MT, Zn, and Ca in four groups of participants, namely control (without PD or RA, n = 21), PD (n = 21), RA (n = 21), or RAPD (n = 19). As expected, an increased amount of salivary pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed in the PD, RA, and RAPD groups. While Ca concentration was not significantly different between the groups, Zn concentration was lower in the PD, RA, and RAPD groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These groups also expressed higher MT/Zn ratios compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Unlike the control group, concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, MT, Zn, and Ca correlated with each other in the PD, RA, and RAPD groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, comorbidity of PD and RA appears to have a cumulative immuno-pathological impact that warrants further investigation. This study suggests that, in addition to inflammatory cytokines, salivary MT and Zn could reflect the severity of PD with or without RA, hence providing an important biomarker for diagnosis.

Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cytokines; Humans; Metallothionein; Periodontitis; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Zinc

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight cysteine-rich proteins that can bind up to seven zinc ions. Among their numerous functions, MTs appear to act as protectors against oxidative and inflammatory injury. In our first published study, we reported downregulation of the isoforms

Topics: Case-Control Studies; Dental Implants; Down Syndrome; Humans; Metallothionein; Periodontitis; Protein Isoforms; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Failure

This study evaluated the effect of smoking on periodontal tissue in periodontal patients. Gingival biopsies were taken from the flap during periodontal surgery of 33 male patients with advanced periodontal disease (22 cigarette smokers; 11 non-smokers). Frozen sections were made immediately and used for hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa staining, and for detection of metallothionein (MT), a free radical scavenger. The expression and distribution of MT in these sections was studied using monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical staining. The smokers had a large number of infiltrate cells in the gingival epithelium compared with non-smokers. Moreover, samples from the smokers showed high levels of MT in the prickle cell layer of the epithelium. In the non-smokers, basal and prickle cell layers of the gingival epithelium also showed detectable MT. Smokers, however, had a higher metallothionein-positive cell ratio in the prickle cell layer as compared to non-smokers. This increased level of MT in smokers may reflect an attempt to defend against free radicals in the gingiva of smokers. These results suggest that inflammation is much greater in periodontal tissues of cigarette smoking periodontal patients than in non-smoking periodontal patients, and that the defense against free radicals is heightened in smokers' gingiva.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Azure Stains; Biopsy; Coloring Agents; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Fluorescent Dyes; Free Radical Scavengers; Frozen Sections; Gingiva; Hematoxylin; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Metallothionein; Middle Aged; Periodontitis; Smoking; Surgical Flaps