Characterization of progressive periodontal lesions in chronic periodontitis patients: levels of chemokines, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase-13, periodontal pathogens and inflammatory cells

Background and aims: Periodontitis is an infection with an episodic nature of tissue support destruction. The aim of this work was to determine the levels of chemokines, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase-13, periodontal pathogens and inflammatory cells in periodontal sites characterized by active periodontal connective tissue destruction. Material and Method: Fifty-six patients with moderate or advanced severity of chronic periodontitis were selected. Periodontitis was characterized by at least six sites with probing depth X5 mm, clinical attachment level X3mm and radiographic bone loss. Periodontitis progression was determined by the tolerance method. Receptor activator for nuclear factor k B-ligand (RANK-L), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), IL-1b, MMP-13, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsithia and inflammatory cells levels were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statas 7.0 software. Data were expressed as mean SD and paired samples t-test and w2 tests were used. Results: Higher RANK-L, IL-1b and MMP-13 activity levels were observed in active sites (po0.05). The proportion of P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, T. forsythia and the number of CD41 T were higher in active than in inactive sites (p40.05). Conclusion: The detection of periodontopathic bacteria, host matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines in periodontitis patients with lesions undergoing episodic attachment loss could partially explain the mechanisms associated with the destruction of the supporting tissues of the tooth.This study was supported by project grant No. 1050518 from Scientific and Technologic Investigation Resource (FONDECYT), Santiago, Chile