C-reactive protein, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 protein, and ca-thepsin D in chronic periodontitis with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare and quantify the expression of C-reactive protein (CRP), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) protein, and cathepsin D in the gingival tissues of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with those in healthy adults with chronic periodontitis. Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. Depending on the patient’s systemic condition and clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=12) included clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets. Group 2 (n=12) included inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Group 3 (n=12) included inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis associated with type 2 DM. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed using Western blotting. The relative quantifications of CRP, ADAM17 protein, and cathepsin D were performed with a densitometer, and the results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test. The expression levels of CRP, ADAM17 protein, and cathepsin D increased in groups 2 and 3 compared with those in group 1. The differences among three groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the expression levels of CRP, ADAM17 protein and cathepsin D might act as inflammatory markers in periodontal inflamed tissue. It can be assumed that CRP, ADAM17 protein, and cathepsin D are partly involved in the progression of periodontal inflammation associated with type 2 DM.