Analysis of aspartate aminotransferase in gingival crevicular fluid: A study with initial therapy

Nonsurgical Treatment of Periodontitis in Menopausal Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Background

Menopause is typically accompanied by significant systemic and oral manifestations, including hormonal changes and increased susceptibility to periodontal disease, which may involve inflammatory biomarkers like aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and osteocalcin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of regular inoculation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as an adjunctive treatment for menopausal women's periodontitis.

Methods

Twenty elderly women with chronic periodontitis were split evenly into two groups by random assignment. Patients in group II (the research group) were given soft gelatin capsules containing PUFAs to be consumed directly once daily for 12 months, as opposed to group I (the control group), who received soft gelatin capsules containing some olive oil (placebo). Scaling and root planning (SRP) were used to address periodontal disease in all cases.

Results

At baseline, six and twelve months after treatment, clinical indicators and AST and osteocalcin amounts in the GCF were noted. By the conclusion of the research period, all observed clinical measurements had changed significantly and improved. In addition, there had been a significant decrease in AST levels and a nonsignificant decrease in osteocalcin levels in group II compared to group I.

Conclusions

Menopausal women with periodontitis who take omega-3 fatty acid supplements in addition to SRP have better oral health. Significant improvements in clinical indicators and a notable decrease in AST levels within the GCF were observed. However, further research with larger cohorts and extended duration is needed to validate these findings and explain potential mechanisms. This trial is registered with NCT06254118.

Comparative clinical evaluation of a local drug delivery of cranberry and garcinia fruit gel with tetracycline fibers for amelioration of periodontitis: A split mouth study

Background

The present study formulates and evaluates a polyberry gel comprising extracts of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and brindle berry (Garcinia cambogia) in patients suffering from chronic periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

The polyberry gel was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters, in vitro permeability and stability, and the active phytoconstituents were quantified by High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Total phenolic content, total antioxidants, and ascorbic acid were estimated in the two extracts by in vitro assays. Patients suffering from chronic periodontitis with probing pocket depth (PPD) up to 5 mm were divided into 3 groups of 21 patients each and treated with scaling and root planing (SRP) or SRP followed by subgingival placement of polyberry gel or tetracycline fibers (standard). Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), PPD, Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), and the salivary aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded at baseline and after 1 month.

Results

A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the periodontic disease parameters was observed in the standard and gel-treated groups between their baseline and 1-month time-interval readings. The polyberry gel treatment significantly (P < 0.05 for AST and P < 0.01 for the rest) attenuated the periodontitis-elevated PI, GI PPD, CAL, AST and CRP levels when compared with SRP at the end of the study and was comparable with tetracycline.

Conclusion

The amelioration of periodontitis and gingival inflammation may be attributed to the potent antioxidant activity of the polyphenolic phytoconstituents of the gel. The polyberry gel may thus be used as a safe adjunct to SRP/tetracycline in chronic periodontitis.

The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate chips on clinical status of peri-implant mucosa and plaque formation on healing abutments following single-stage implant surgeries

Background

An experimental study was designed to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate chips on clinical status of peri-implant mucosa and plaque formation on healing abutments following single-stage implant surgeries.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-eight single-stage implant sites were grouped into 14 test and control sites. The study commences from the time of suture removal following surgery, designated as day 0. Chlorhexidine chip insertion into peri-implant sulcus in test sites was done on day 0, 10, and 20. Peri-implant crevicular fluid was collected on day 0, 10, 20, and 30 for biochemical estimation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The modified sulcus bleeding index (mBI) score was obtained in both test and control sites on day 10, 20, and 30. On day 30, all the healing abutments were unscrewed and sent for stereomicroscopic analysis to assess the plaque formation on its surface.

Results

Statistically significant difference was not observed in AST levels and mBI in both test and control groups in various time intervals. In the stereomicroscopic assessment of healing abutment, mild grade of plaque accumulation was seen in three samples in test group, one sample in control group, and severe grade was seen in six samples in test group and nine samples in the control group.

Conclusion

Inflammatory condition of peri-implant mucosa and plaque retentive properties on healing abutment surface were found to have reduced with the usage of chlorhexidine gluconate chips. However, the study failed to establish a statistically significant correlation of these observations.

Evaluation of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme levels in women patients with chronic periodontitis

The authors' aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic periodontitis and liver status using alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in women patients. The researchers conducted a case-control study on women patients referred to Dental School. The researchers collected 5 ml of peripheral venous blood from women for the laboratory process after performing periodontal examination. Participants were 124 women aged 25-50 years (62 cases and 62 control). The difference in serum levels of ALT and the difference in serum levels of AST between the two groups were not statistically significant. However, there was a significant correlation between liver enzymes and periodontitis parameters.

Evaluation of cardiac biomarkers in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to assess the levels of the cardiac biomarkers in smokers versus non-smokers chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and periodontally healthy subjects, also to correlate cardiac biomarkers level with the severity of CP.

METHODS

Eighty selected individuals were divided into three groups: Smokers CP (28), non-smokers CP (32), and healthy control subjects (20). The CP evaluated clinically by plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and pocket depth (PD). Serum levels of cardiac biomarkers were assayed for the following: Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), troponin-I (Tr-I), creatinine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

RESULTS

The statistical analysis of the investigated biomarkers showed that ALT and AST significantly increased in smokers versus non-smokers CP patients (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, the other biomarkers (Tr-I, CK, and LDH) showed a non-significant increase in smokers compared with non-smokers periodontitis patients (P ≥ 0.05). Furthermore, the mean values of all biomarkers, Tr-I, ALT, AST, LDH, and CK, expressed highly significant comparisons (P ≤ 0.01) in smokers and non-smokers CP patients against healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that the cardiac biomarkers affected by CP and worse aggravated by the presence of smoking that could play a bidirectional effect on periodontitis and cardiovascular (CV) conditions. Further researches are needed to elucidate the efficacy of periodontal treatment and serum cardiac biomarkers in systemically healthy and diseased CV patients.