Salivary and serum markers of angiogenesis in periodontitis in relation to smoking.

Objective: Angiogenesis is essential in maintenance of periodontal homeostasis, and it is regulated by growth factors and cytokines, including basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), endoglin, platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). In this study, the salivary and serum concentrations of these angiogenesis-related proteins in relation to smoking and periodontitis were examined.

Material And Methods: Full-mouth periodontal status together with unstimulated whole saliva and serum samples was collected from 78 individuals, including 40 periodontitis patients (20 smokers and 20 nonsmokers) and 38 periodontally healthy controls (20 smokers and 18 nonsmokers).