Neutrophil superoxide release and plasma C‐reactive protein levels pre‐ and post‐periodontal therapy. (7th June 2016) - Ling, Martin R.
Abstract: Aim: To determine peripheral blood neutrophil superoxide release and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration in chronic periodontitis patients, before and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from patient and control volunteers ( n = 20) and superoxide measured by lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence with and without stimulation with unopsonized Porphyromonas gingivalis, unopsonized Fusobacterium nucleatum and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) before and 2‐months following non‐surgical therapy. Corresponding high‐sensitivity plasma CRP concentrations were also determined. Results: At pre‐treatment baseline, patient neutrophils released more superoxide in the absence ( p ≤ 0.032) and presence of periodontal bacteria ( p ≤ 0.013) and after PMA stimulation ( p = 0.041) compared to control cells. Post‐therapy, patient neutrophil superoxide release was reduced to control cell levels. Median patient plasma CRP concentrations were non‐significantly higher than control values and were reduced after therapy (1.80–1.36 mg/l). Patient pre‐treatment baseline, unstimulated neutrophil superoxide release showed a significant, positive correlation with plasma CRP concentration ( p = 0.01). Conclusions: Chronic periodontitis is characterized by peripheral neutrophils exhibiting superoxide hyperactivity and hyper‐reactivity to periodontal pathogens that is not a constitutive feature of periodontitis patients. The positive, pre‐therapy relationship between unstimulated neutrophil superoxide release and plasma CRP is consistent with a protective role for CRP in reducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in vivo .