C-telopeptide pyridinoline cross-links. Sensitive indicators of periodontal tissue destruction,”Annals of the New

ABSTRACT: C-telopeptides and related pyridinoline cross-links of bone Type I collagen are sensitive markers of bone resorption in osteolytic diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. We have studied the release of C-te-lopeptide pyridinoline crosslinks of Type I collagen as measures of bone de-struction in periodontal disease. Studies in preclinical animal models and humans have demonstrated the relationship between radiographic bone loss and crevicular fluid C-telopeptide levels. We have recently found that C-te-lopeptide levels correlate strongly with microbial pathogens associated with periodontitis and around endosseous dental implants. Host-modulation of bone-related collagen breakdown has been shown by studies in humans dem-onstrating that MMP inhibition blocks tissue destruction and release of C-te-lopeptides in patients with active periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is initiated by microbial pathogens that elicit a host immune re-sponse with subsequent tissue destruction of the periodontal structures