Ex vivo studies of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from patients with early-onset-periodontitis (II). Chemiluminescence response analysis.

Previous studies have indicated that oxygen-free radicals may cause damage to the periodontal tissues. This study compared the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response (after stimulation with either opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) isolated from human subjects with a healthy periodontium (n = 7), gingivitis (n = 8), adult periodontitis (n = 8), or early-onset periodontitis (n = 17). These results were also compared with those obtained in a larger reference group which consists of 50 subjects without infection or inflammation, selected on the basis of laboratory investigations.

Ex vivo studies of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from patients with early-onset forms of periodontitis. (I). Chemotactic assessment using the under agarose method.

The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) appears to be an important cell in the protection of the host from pathogenic periodontal microorganisms and, despite some reports to the contrary, it is generally assumed that early-onset forms of periodontal disease (including both juvenile and rapidly progressing periodontitis) are associated with a defect in PMN chemotactic behaviour. The purpose of the present study was to examine the peripheral PMN chemotactic behaviour, using the under agarose method, in 4 groups, namely healthy periodontium group (n = 7), gingivitis group (n = 8), early-onset periodontitis group (n = 17) and adult periodontitis group (n = 8). PMN from early-onset periodontitis patients showed normal random and chemotactic locomotory behaviour when compared with those of PMN from subjects of the other groups.

[The effect of an experimental occlusal interference on the masticatory cycle recorded by electromagnetic pantography].

The effects of occlusal interference on masticatory cycles have been studied in twenty nine volunteers with complete natural dentition, using an electromagnetic pantograph (Sirognatograph, Siemens A.G.).

["T" lymphocytes. Their role in periodontal disease].

The immune response is now proved to be of great importance in the control of periodontal diseases. The predominant role of T lymphocytes in the mechanisms of specific immunity is admitted and is related to the functions of effectors T cells and T-helper cells, controlling the response of macrophages and the antibody production. The relations between the evolution of the disease and the tissular T/B and T4/T8 ratio and the lymphocyte function tests are discussed.