IADR Abstract Archives
Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum Levels of C-Reactive Protein in African Americans
Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver in response to inflammation. CRP serum levels are elevated in hypertensive as well as periodontitis affected individuals. Hypertension and periodontitis are highly prevalent among African Americans. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum CRP levels in hypertensive African Americans.
Methods: Eighteen hypertensive subjects and a comparison group of 11 non-hypertensive subjects were selected from a previously investigated cohort. All subjects were African Americans, non-cigarette smoking and free from other systemic illness. Blood pressure was measured. A comprehensive periodontal examination was performed including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD) and attachment levels (AL). Gingival fluid was collected from 3 sites with filter paper strips and samples were pooled. A blood sample was collected by standard venipuncture technique. GCF and serum samples were assessed for CRP by conventional sandwich ELISA.
Results: Subjects in both groups were comparable on all demographic and periodontal parameters. For all subjects: gender distribution was 20% males, mean (SD) age was 53.8 (7.3) years, PI 0.89 (0.40), GI 0.73 (0.23), PD 2.63 (0.29) mm, and AL 0.85 (0.75) mm. As expected, hypertensive subjects had significantly higher systolic (P<0.01) and diastolic (P<0.01) blood pressures than non-hypertensive subjects. Multiple regression analysis adjusting for probing depth and age showed significantly higher CRP levels in GCF (P=0.04) and serum (P=0.001) in hypertensive than non-hypertensive subjects. In all subjects, GCF CRP levels positively correlated with serum CRP levels (Spearman, rs 0.41, P=0.03).
Conclusions: Hypertension positively influences CRP levels in both GCF and blood. GCF CRP levels reflect blood CRP levels.
Methods: Eighteen hypertensive subjects and a comparison group of 11 non-hypertensive subjects were selected from a previously investigated cohort. All subjects were African Americans, non-cigarette smoking and free from other systemic illness. Blood pressure was measured. A comprehensive periodontal examination was performed including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD) and attachment levels (AL). Gingival fluid was collected from 3 sites with filter paper strips and samples were pooled. A blood sample was collected by standard venipuncture technique. GCF and serum samples were assessed for CRP by conventional sandwich ELISA.
Results: Subjects in both groups were comparable on all demographic and periodontal parameters. For all subjects: gender distribution was 20% males, mean (SD) age was 53.8 (7.3) years, PI 0.89 (0.40), GI 0.73 (0.23), PD 2.63 (0.29) mm, and AL 0.85 (0.75) mm. As expected, hypertensive subjects had significantly higher systolic (P<0.01) and diastolic (P<0.01) blood pressures than non-hypertensive subjects. Multiple regression analysis adjusting for probing depth and age showed significantly higher CRP levels in GCF (P=0.04) and serum (P=0.001) in hypertensive than non-hypertensive subjects. In all subjects, GCF CRP levels positively correlated with serum CRP levels (Spearman, rs 0.41, P=0.03).
Conclusions: Hypertension positively influences CRP levels in both GCF and blood. GCF CRP levels reflect blood CRP levels.