The relationship between marginal bone loss and serum zinc levels

The Association Between Some Macro and Trace Elements in Saliva and Periodontal Status

Changes in the macro and trace element composition of saliva might be indicative for pathological changes in periodontal tissues. However, there is a lack of evidence in the literature showing associations between mineral elements and periodontal status. The aim of this study was to determine whether such associations occur. Totally, 190 systemically healthy non-smoker participants (mean age 32.2 ± 6.02; 50 periodontally healthy, 50 gingivitis, 50 chronic periodontitis, and 40 aggressive periodontitis individuals) were included in this cross-sectional study. Salivary levels of some macro and trace elements were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Kruskal-Wallis's test was used for statistical analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), vanadium (V), chromium Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), and selenium (Se) concentrations among the groups. Significant increases in the essential minerals Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, and Se occurred in both periodontitis groups when compared to the gingivitis and periodontally healthy groups. Lower Se, Sr, Fe, Mn, and V concentrations were found in the aggressive periodontitis group than in the chronic periodontitis group. The results of this study demonstrated that assessment of mineral element concentrations in saliva might be useful in assessing periodontal health and disease. However, further studies are required to determine whether the change in a specific mineral element is the result of periodontal disease or is involved in its pathogenesis.

A comparative evaluation of the micronutrient profile in the serum of diabetes mellitus Type II patients and healthy individuals with periodontitis

Background

Micronutrients play an important part in metabolism and maintenance of tissue function the maintenance of the integrity and vitality of the periodontal tissues depends on the availability of adequate nutrients, and it is possible that deficiencies can produce pathological alterations in the periodontal tissues. However, the association between nutritional factors and periodontal health is not fully understood. The essential micronutrients for maintaining health include zinc, copper, selenium, and iron. These micronutrients are required for a variety of biomolecules to maintain the normal structure, function, and proliferation of cells and also immune functions. Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) are considered to have a bidirectional relationship, and periodontitis is recognized as the 6^th major complication of DM. The number of studies on the role of micronutrients with regard to periodontal disease is limited.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the role of micronutrients-zinc, copper, selenium, and iron, in the serum of chronic periodontitis patients and chronic periodontitis with DM Type II patients, to see whether they can serve as potential markers for chronic periodontitis and also to assess whether periodontitis can have systemic effects.

Materials and Methods

A volume of 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each of the study participants, from the antecubital vein. The blood was then centrifuged and stored at -20°C before being analyzed. Zinc, copper, and selenium were estimated by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry, bathophenanthroline method was used to estimate iron.

Statistical Analysis

It was carried out using Student's t-test and analysis of variance. The honestly significant difference Tukey test and Pearson's correlation was also used.

Results

The mean serum zinc levels were significantly higher in healthy controls as compared to Periodontitis and Periodontitis with DM type II. The mean serum copper levels were significantly higher in Periodontitis with diabetes as compared to controls and periodontitis. Serum selenium levels were significantly higher in controls as compared to periodontitis with diabetes. The mean serum iron levels were significantly higher in periodontitis with diabetes. The Zinc: Copper (Zn: Cu) ratio was found to be significant for the periodontitis with diabetes group.

Conclusion

The results obtained from this study suggests that the serum levels of micronutrients Zn and Se were decreased and levels of Cu and Fe are increased in chronic periodontitis as compared to healthy control. There was a potentiated difference in the values in patients with DM Type II. The results show that the levels of these micronutrients can be used as effective biomarkers for chronic periodontitis and that periodontitis has systemic manifestations.

Trace Mineral Micronutrients and Chronic Periodontitis-a Review

Trace mineral micronutrients are imperative for optimum host response. Populations worldwide are prone to their insufficiency owing to lifestyle changes or poor nutritional intake. Balanced levels of trace minerals like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) are essential to prevent progression of chronic conditions like periodontitis. Their excess as well as deficiency is detrimental to periodontal health. This is specifically true in relation to Fe. Furthermore, some trace elements, e.g. Se, Zn and Cu are integral components of antioxidant enzymes and prevent reactive oxygen species induced destruction of tissues. Their deficiency can worsen periodontitis associated with systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus. With this background, the present review first focusses on the role of four trace minerals, namely, Fe, Zn, Se and Cu in periodontal health followed by an appraisal of the data from case control studies related to their association with chronic periodontitis.

Comparative evaluation of micronutrient status in the serum of diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals with periodontitis

Background:

Periodontal diseases are microbial induced chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by infiltration of leukocytes, loss of connective tissue, alveolar bone resorption, and formation of periodontal pockets. In response to periodontal pathogens, the leukocytes (PMN) elaborate destructive oxidants, proteinases and other factors. The balance between these factors, the antioxidants and endogenously synthesized antiproteinases determine the extent of periodontal damage. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. Most of the complications of diabetes are due to hyperglycemia. Persons with diabetes are at a greater risk for periodontal disease Malnutrition is characterized by marked tissue depletion of antioxidant nutrients and impaired acute phase protein response to infections resulting in impaired healing. Diabetes mellitus also alters the micronutrient levels. Malnutrition is characterized by marked tissue depletion of antioxidant nutrients and impaired acute phase protein response to infections resulting in impaired healing. Malnutrition, which usually involves concomitant deficiencies of several essential macro and micro nutrients, therefore, has the potential to adversely influence the prognosis of periodontal infections. Objectives:This study has been conducted to evaluate and compare the serum levels of vitamin C, zinc and copper in diabetic and healthy individuals with periodontitis.

Materials and Methods:

In this case control study 60 subjects inclusive of both sexes were selected and divided into 3 groups of 20 each. Group 1 comprised of 20 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease, Group 2 comprised of 20 healthy subjects with periodontal disease. And Group 3 comprised of 20 healthy subjects without periodontal disease. Venous blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 3000rpm for 15 minutes and the superanatant serum is collected to measure the vitamin C, zinc and copper levels. The vitamin C levels of clinical samples were measured using spectrophotometric quantitation (dinitrophenyl hydrazine method) and zinc and copper levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results:

The results showed that the levels of vitamin C and zinc decreased and copper levels increased in diabetic patients with periodontits compared to healthy individuals with periodontitis.

Conclusion:

It may be reasonable to suggest vitamin and/or mineral supplements for patients whose nutrition might be inadequate. Future research should focus on an evaluation of which nutrients may help to prevent the onset and progression of periodontal disease

Beneficial effects of oral zinc supplementation on the immune response of old people

Zinc is known to have beneficial effects on the immune response. In an attempt to modify age-associated immune dysfunction, supplemental zinc was administered to 15 subjects over 70 years of age (220 mg zinc sulfate twice daily for a month). As compared to 15 controls, matched for age and sex, there was a significant improvement in the following immune parameters in the treated group: (1) number of circulating T lymphocytes; (2) delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to purified protein derivative, Candidin and streptokinase-streptodornase; (3) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response to tetanus vaccine. Zinc treatment had no influence on the number of total circulating leukocytes or lymphocytes, or on the in vitro lymphocyte response to three mitogens: phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The data suggest that the addition of zinc to the diet of old persons could be an effective and simple way to improve their immune function.