Periodontal variables affecting nifedipine sequestration in gingival crevicular fluid

Non-surgical periodontal treatment of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth: immunohistochemical results

AIM

The present study was planned to analyze the effects of a 12-month non-surgical periodontal treatment on histologic and immunohistochemical features of cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gingival samples were collected from 21 liver transplant subjects exhibiting CsA-induced GO prior to, and 12 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy including oral hygiene instructions, scaling and 2-month recall appointments, and also from 18 healthy control subjects. Gingival biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and monoclonal antibodies for vimentin, CD3 (T-lymphocytes), CD20 (B-lymphocytes), CD34 (endothelium) and Ki-67 (fibroblasts proliferation rate), using a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.

RESULTS

Total inflammatory cells, gingival vessels and fibroblast proliferation rate demonstrated significant reduction after non-surgical periodontal treatment (P < 0.0001) in overgrown gingiva, while B- and T-lymphocytes remained nearly unchanged (P = 0.61 and 0.33, respectively). At the 12-month evaluation no significant differences were found when comparing the gingival biopsies from CsA-treated patients and those from healthy controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Control of clinical inflammation by means of non-surgical periodontal treatment results both in lowering of inflammatory infiltrate and in changes in connective tissue composition. Thus, plaque-induced inflammation would seem to modulate the drug-gingival tissue interaction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A strict plaque control program play a pivotal role in the management of transplant patients exhibiting cyclosporin A-GO.

Effectiveness of periodontal therapy on the severity of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of aetiological periodontal treatment in a group of transplant patients medicated with cyclosporin A (CsA) who exhibited severe gingival overgrowth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients received oral hygiene instructions, supra- and subgingival scaling and periodontal maintenance therapy and were monitored for 12 months. Full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), periodontal probing depth and degree of gingival overgrowth (Seymour index GO) were recorded at baseline, 6 and 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Statistical evaluation revealed that all clinical variables significantly decreased compared with baseline. At baseline 18 out of 21 treated patients (85.71%) exhibited clinically significant overgrowth. Initial GO score of 2.38+/-1.92 in the anterior sextants and of 1.29+/-1.59 in the posterior segments were reduced to 0.56+/-0.83 and to 0.45+/-0.84 at 12 months (p<0.001). A difference of 1.82 and 0.84 in the severity of treated GO was accompanied by a 42% and 34% decrease in FMPS and FMBS, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Aetiological periodontal treatment and regular maintenance therapy were effective in resolving the inflammation and in eliminating the need for surgical treatment in patients receiving CsA.

Gingival overgrowth in children: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and complications. A literature review

Gingival overgrowth is the enlargement of the attached gingiva due to an increased number of cells. The most prevalent types of gingival overgrowth in children are drug-induced gingival overgrowth, hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), and neurofibromatosis I (von Recklinghausen disease). Gingival overgrowth induced by drugs such as phenytoin, nifedipine, and cyclosporin develops due to an increase in the connective tissue extracellular matrix. According to epidemiologic studies, it is more prevalent in male children and adolescents. There is an additive effect of those drugs on the degree of gingival overgrowth. Genetic heterogeneity seems to play an important role in the development of the disease. Functional difficulties, disfigurement, increased caries, and delayed eruption of permanent teeth are the main complications of drug-induced gingival overgrowth. HGF is the most common syndromic gingival enlargement in children. This autosomal dominant disease usually appears at the time of eruption of permanent dentition. Histologically, it is characterized by highly collagenized connective tissue. The most important complications are drifting of teeth, prolonged retention of primary dentition, diastemata, and poor plaque control. Neurofibromatosis I is an autosomal dominant disease more common in mentally handicapped individuals. Gingival overgrowth is caused by the formation of plexiform neurofibromas in the connective tissue of the gingiva. Plexiform neurofibromas are pathognomonic of the disease and consist of hypertrophic nerves arranged as lobules in the connective tissue. Complications of the disease are multiple and severe due to neurofibromas and their occasional malignant transformation.

P-glycoprotein drug transporter MDR1 gene polymorphism in renal transplant patients with and without gingival overgrowth

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is association between genotypes of drug transporter multidrug resistant (MDR)1 gene coding drug transporter P-glycoprotein and gingival overgrowth in kidney transplant patients.

METHODS

Fifty-four unrelated kidney transplant patients suffering from gingival overgrowth as well 120 control transplant patients without overgrowth were enrolled into the study. Gingival overgrowth was assessed by two independent periodontal specialists at 6 months after transplantation. During the post-transplant period all patients were given medication, which included cyclosporine A, diltiazem or verapamil, prednisone, azathioprine. MDR1 C3435T polymorphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.

RESULTS

In kidney transplant patients suffering from gingival overgrowth mean score of gingival overgrowth was 1.43 +/- 0.63, whereas in control subjects was 0.0. Patients with gingival overgrowth induced by immunosuppressive medication were characterized by similar distribution of MDR1 genotypes. There were no significant differences of 3435CC, 20.4% and 22.5%, 3435CT, 61.1% and 54.2% and 3435TT, 18.5% and 23.3% genotypes (frequencies) between patients with and without gingival overgrowth. The risk of gingival overgrowth was the highest among patients carrying 3435CT genotype (OD 1.33), but did not differ markedly from the other genotypes, i.e. 3435CC (OD 0.88) and 3435TT (OD 0.75). Likewise to genotypes, distribution of alleles was similar in patients with gingival overgrowth and healthy gingiva. The wild-type allele 3435C was found in 50.9% and 49.6% of subjects whereas the mutated allele 3435T was revealed in 49.1% and 50.4% of patients with and without gingival overgrowth, respectively. The evaluated risk of gingival overgrowth in patients with 3435C allele was 1.06 versus 0.95 in those with healthy gingiva. The medication regimen administered in both groups of the study was comparable. Immunohistochemical studies revealed expression of P-glycoprotein in ducts of the salivary gland.

CONCLUSION

No association between the MDR1 gene polymorphism and gingival overgrowth was revealed in kidney transplant patients administered cyclosporine A as a principal immunosuppressive agent. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of P-glycoprotein in drug transport in salivary glands.

Cardiovascular diseases and periodontology

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases represent a widespread heterogeneous group of conditions that have significant morbidity and mortality. The various diseases and their treatments can have an impact upon the periodontium and the delivery of periodontal care.

AIM

In this paper we consider three main topics and explore their relationship to the periodontist and the provision of periodontal treatment.

METHOD

The areas reviewed include the effect of cardiovascular drugs on the periodontium and management of patients with periodontal diseases; the risk of infective endocarditis arising from periodontal procedures; the inter-relationship between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Calcium-channel blockers and beta-adrenoceptor blockers cause gingival overgrowth and tooth demineralisation, respectively. Evidence suggests that stopping anticoagulant therapy prior to periodontal procedures is putting patients at a greater risk of thromboembolic disorders compared to the risk of prolonged bleeding. The relationship between dentistry and infective endocarditis remains a controversial issue. It would appear that spontaneous bacteraemia arising from a patient's oral hygiene practices is more likely to be the cause of endocarditis than one-off periodontal procedures. The efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis is uncertain (and unlikely to be proven), and the risk of death from penicillin appears to be greater than the risk of death arising from infective endocarditis. Finally, the association between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease has been explored and there seem to be many issues with respect to data handling interpretation. Many putative mechanisms have been suggested; however, these only further highlight the need for intervention studies.

Cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth is unrelated to allograft function in renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Severe gingival hyperplasia (GH) is one of the most frequent side-effects associated with the prescription of Cyclosporine-A (CsA).

AIM

This study statistically modeled the medical and dental risk factors for the development of GH following CsA administration to determine whether renal function post-transplantation was related to the incidence or extent of GH in 236 consecutive renal transplant patients.

METHOD

All patients were at least 6 months post-transplant and medicated with both traditional oral CsA (n=220 individuals) and the new microemulsion form CsA-Me (n=229 individuals). Patients had either received CsA alone (n=45 individuals) or cyclosporine and nifedipine (n=191 individuals). Gingival overgrowth was assessed and computerized data, available for all patients included; pre- and post-transplant medical history and post-transplant renal function, i.e., serum creatinine levels, documented rejection episodes and glomerular filtration rates (GFR). These data together with CsA serum levels and last-recorded dose of CsA, CsA-Me, nifedipine, azathioprine and prednisolone, were analysed by multivariate regression analysis using SPSS.

RESULTS

The extent and severity of hyperplasia was significantly correlated with the dosage and serum level of CsA at 3, 6 and 12 months post-transplantation; last recorded dosage, however (p<0.0001), was the most accurate predictor of hyperplasia. Gingivitis (p<0.0001) and plaque (p<0.002), were associated with hyperplasia. Duration of renal replacement therapy, age at transplantation, post-transplant interval serum creatinine levels and documented rejection episodes were unrelated with the extent and severity of GH. Of all the renal variables only the correlation of GFR with last recorded doses of CsA and CsA-Me, approached significance; this was then considered for inclusion in the model.

CONCLUSION

In a multiple regression analysis including GFR, however, only last CsA (and CsA-Me) doses and gingivitis score were selected for inclusion in the final model. These data demonstrate that inter-patient variation in the extent and severity of GH and renal function post-transplantation are unrelated and are mediated independently.

Risk factors in the development of cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth

BACKGROUND

Severe gingival hyperplasia (GH) is one of the most frequent side-effects associated with the prescription of cyclosporine-A (CsA). Using the largest group of renal allograft recipients assembled for this purpose, in this study, we statistically modeled the genetic (HLA), medical, and dental risk factors for the development of GH subsequent to administration of CsA.

METHODS

Two hundred thirty-six renal transplant patients underwent full dental examination to quantify the extent and distribution of hyperplasia and dental disease (gingivitis, plaque, and calculus). Computerized data from all patients included pre-transplant medical history and dosage of nifedipine and azathioprine, as well as dose and serum levels of CsA and CsA microemulsion. Donor and host HLA haplotype were studied to investigate potential association of haplotype and donor-host mismatching with the development of GH. We evaluated the data by multivariate regression analysis, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

RESULTS

There was no association with age, sex, duration of renal replacement therapy, or interval since transplantation or pre-transplant disease (P>0.05). There also was no association of disease with host HLA haplotype, but degree of HLA-A mismatching was protective for GH development (P<0.002). GH was associated with the dose and serum levels of CsA (P<0.001) and the last dose of CsA microemulsion (P=0.009) but not nifedipine (P=0.10). Gingival inflammation and plaque were also strongly associated with GH (P<0.0003). In multivariate analysis, however, the last recorded dose of CsA (P<0.0001), presence of local gingival inflammation (P<0.0001), and gingivitis (P<0.003) were the independent predictors of the extent and severity of GH.

CONCLUSIONS

Inter-patient variation in the extent and severity of GH is related to CsA dose and serum levels. Differences in host HLA phenotype do not explain individual susceptibility to GH, but donor-host HLA-A mismatching may be important. Inter-site variation in the extent and severity of the disease is related to local gingival inflammation.

Effectiveness of periodontal therapy in patients with drug-induced gingival overgrowth. Long-term results

BACKGROUND

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DGO) is one of the well-recognized side effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) or nifedipine (Ni). After surgical periodontal therapy, the incidence of DGO recurrence is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical periodontal therapy in patients receiving CsA or Ni and who exhibit severe long-term DGO. In addition, the relationship between various variables and the recurrence of severe DGO after periodontal surgery was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 38 patients, 22 with CsA-induced DGO and 16 with Ni-induced DGO, were included in this study. At baseline, patients received initial periodontal therapy, after which either the upper or lower anterior segment in each patient was surgically treated. Surgical periodontal therapy consisted of the flap technique with a 90 degrees gingivectomy incision. Following surgery, patients were placed on a maintenance therapy recall program and were monitored for 18 months. Patients were seen once a month for the first 3 months and once every 3 months for the following 15 months. Plaque index (PI), papilla bleeding index (PBI) and DGO scores in the treated segments were recorded at each recall appointment. Attendance at recall appointments was also noted for each patient.

RESULTS

Recurrence of severe DGO was observed in 13 of the 38 patients (34%) 18 months following periodontal surgery. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, gingival inflammation, and attendance at recall appointments were significant determinants of the recurrence of severe DGO.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that regular re-motivation and professional care at frequent recall appointments after periodontal surgery are of great importance in patients receiving CsA or Ni. By maintaining periodontal health, the life quality of these patients may be raised.

Site-specific variations in metabolism by human fibroblasts exposed to nifedipine in vitro

Nifedipine induces overgrowth of gingival tissues in some patients. However, other collagenous tissues in their body do not overgrow. The purpose of this study was to compare effects of serial dilutions of nifedipine on the in vitro metabolism of fibroblasts derived from normal gingiva, nifedipine-induced hyperplastic gingiva, knee capsular ligament, and dermis. The data suggested that nifedipine affects the metabolism of fibroblasts derived not only from gingiva, but also from other collective connective tissues. Thus, nifedipine-responder cells are present in tissues other than gingiva. There was an inverse relationship between in vivo tissue levels of IL-1-beta and in vitro responsiveness to nifedipine of fibroblasts derived from that tissue. Nifedipine-induced overgrowth of connective tissues, other than gingiva, probably does not occur either because of the relatively slow rate of collagenous protein synthesis by resident fibroblasts or because of alterations in collagen deposition/resorption within susceptible tissues produced by nifedipine on collagenase synthesis.

The distribution of gingival overgrowth in organ transplant patients

The distribution of gingival overgrowth was investigated in a cohort of organ transplant patients, who were medicated with cyclosporin or the combination of cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocking drug. Gingival overgrowth scores were significantly higher at buccal sites than lingual-palatally (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between upper and lower overgrowth scores (p = 0.88). The most severe overgrowth was seen in the canine region. Overgrowth between the central incisors was significantly less than in the canine region (p > or = 0.044) and was similar to that in the molar and premolar region. Although raised overgrowth scores were associated with increased levels of plaque and gingival inflammation, the distribution could not be explained by this observation.

The pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival overgrowth

Gingival overgrowth is a well-documented unwanted effect, associated with phenytoin, cyclosporin, and the calcium channel blockers. The pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival overgrowth is uncertain, and there appears to be no unifying hypothesis that links together the 3 commonly implicated drugs. In this review, we consider a multifactorial model which expands on the interaction between drug and/or metabolite, with the gingival fibroblasts. Factors which impact upon this model include age, genetic predisposition, pharmacokinetic variables, plaque-induced inflammatory and immunological changes and activation of growth factors. Of these, genetic factors which give rise to fibroblast heterogeneity, gingival inflammation, and pharmacokinetic variables appear to be significant in the expression of gingival overgrowth. A more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of this unwanted effect will hopefully elucidate appropriate mechanisms for its control.