Role of receptors of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic individuals with chronic periodontal disease: an immunohistochemical study.

Aim:   The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is well established. It has been shown that advanced glycation end-products might exert noxious effects on several tissues of the body through its receptor. Evidence for the role of receptors of advanced glycation end-products in periodontal disease for diabetes is limited, and their presence in human gingival tissues has been demonstrated in few studies. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of receptors of advanced glycation end-products in patients with chronic periodontitis, with and without type 2 diabetes.

Methods:   Gingival biopsies from 19 patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, and 18 healthy controls with chronic periodontitis, were immunohistochemically stained for receptors of advanced glycation end-products.

Results:   On immunohistochemical analysis, positive staining for receptors of advanced glycation end-products was seen in the endothelium and the basal and spinous layers of the inflamed gingival epithelium in both type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes tissue, with a statistically-significant difference between both groups (P <0 .05).

Conclusions:   There was a significant difference in receptors of advanced glycation end-product immune reactivity between both groups. Receptors of advanced glycation end-product increase in type 2 diabetes gingival tissue might indicate possible involvement of this receptor in periodontal destruction in individuals with type 2 diabetes.