Influence of Smoking and Periodontitis on Endoglin and PECAM-1 Levels

Objectives: Angiogenesis is essential in the maintenance of periodontal homeostasis, and it is regulated by different proteins, including platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) and endoglin. In this study, we examined whether smoking and periodontitis influence salivary and serum PECAM-1 and endoglin concentrations.
Methods: Seventy-eight participants of both sexes were assigned to two groups, including 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers in the chronic periodontitis group and 20 smokers and 18 non-smokers in the periodontally healthy control group. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, gingival index, probing pocket depths and clinical attachment levels were recorded from all teeth. Unstimulated whole saliva and serum samples were collected prior to full-mouth periodontal recordings. PECAM-1 and endoglin concentrations in saliva and in serum were analyzed by using the Luminex®-xMAP™ technique.
Results: Salivary PECAM-1 (p<0.001) and endoglin (p=0.004) concentrations were higher in periodontitis patients than in periodontally healthy controls. Endoglin concentrations in serum were elevated in smokers in comparison with non-smokers (p=0.017). After adjusting against smoking and gender, a significant association between periodontitis and salivary PECAM-1 was observed (OR 1.001, 95%CI 1.001-1.002).
Conclusions: According to our results, periodontitis associates significantly with PECAM-1 concentrations in saliva.