Β-FGF and VEGF Levels in Periodontitis in Relation to Smoking

Objectives: Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) associate with angiogenesis in tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate b-FGF and VEGF levels in saliva and serum samples of smoking and non-smoking subjects with and without periodontitis.
Methods: Full-mouth periodontal status [plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level] was performed and unstimulated whole saliva and serum samples were collected from 40 subjects suffering from periodontitis (20 non-smokers and 20 smokers) and 38 periodontally healthy controls (18 non-smokers and 20 smokers). The Luminex^®-xMAP™ technique was used to analyze b-FGF and VEGF concentrations in saliva and serum.
Results: Salivary VEGF (p<0.001) and b-FGF (p<0.001), and serum VEGF (p=0.014) concentrations were higher in periodontitis subjects than in periodontally healthy controls. No difference was observed in b-FGF and VEGF concentrations in saliva or serum between smokers and non-smokers. After adjusting against smoking and gender, significant associations were observed between periodontitis and salivary b-FGF (OR 2.061 95%CI 1.394-3.107), and periodontitis and salivary VEGF (OR 1.002, 95%CI 1.001-1.003).
Conclusions: Elevated salivary VEGF and b-FGF concentrations associate with periodontitis.