Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gingival tissues from chronic periodontitis patients: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

It has been proposed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is responsible for the pathogenesis of several diseases. However, the relationship between the EMT process and the severity of periodontitis has not been previously investigated.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to localize and quantitatively assess the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), vimentin and E-cadherin in correlation with the EMT process in human gingiva of periodontally diseased patients in comparison with halthy individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Gingival tissue samples from 36 participants were divided into 2 groups: the healthy (control) group (n = 9); and the periodontitis group (n = 27). The periodontitis group was further subclassified into mild, moderate and severe periodontitis subgroups (9 patients in each subgroup). The samples were subjected to histological staining, the histomorphometric analysis and the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) analysis for TGF-β, vimentin and E-catherin. Statistical and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain sections from both the moderate and severe periodontitis subgroups showed epithelial hyperplasia, perinuclear haloing and a marked increase in the inflammatory cell count as compared to the control group. The highest mean TGF-β1 and vimentin expression values were recorded in the severe periodontitis subgroup, whereas the lowest mean values were recorded in the control gingiva. On the contrary, the expression of E-catherin had the highest mean value in the control gingiva, whereas the lowest mean value was recorded in the severe periodontitis subgroup. All results were found to be statistically significant. The correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the severity of periodontitis and the expression of TGF-β and vimentin, while a statistically significant inverse correlation was found between the expression of E-catherin and the severity of periodontitis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a direct correlation between the severity of periodontitis and the expression of the EMT process markers (TGF-β and vimentin). This correlation indicates that EMT plays an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of periodontal disease. The data presented in this study could open the door for using anti-EMT agents in treating periodontal disease.

The effect of daily intake of green coffee bean extract as compared to Agiolax® on the alveolar bone of albino rats

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a worldwide medical problem in which excess body fat is accumulated in the body. The use of weight loss supplements such as green coffee bean extract and Agiolax has become a common trend among people who want to lose weight in a fast and non-tiring way. As a result of their effect on fluid excretion, both of these products may be expected to have a damaging effect on the alveolar bone.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the histopathalogical effect of green coffee bean extract as compared to Agiolax on the alveolar bone of albino rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-seven adult male albino rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Nine received distilled water daily for 2 months by oral gavage (the control group); the other 2 groups received 1 mg/100 g body weight green coffee bean extract or Agiolax 8 mg/100 g body weight daily for 2 months by oral gavage (the GC and Ag groups, respectively). The alveolar bones were dissected and examined histologically, histomorphometrically and by western blotting.

RESULTS

The bone area percentage and the calcium level in serum were significantly decreased in the GC and Ag groups, while the calcium level in urine was significantly increased in both the experimental groups as compared to the control group. On the other hand, RANKL expression was significantly increased only in the GC group, and the tissue calcium (Ca) level was significantly decreased only in the GC group as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term oral administration of green coffee bean extract and Agiolax might lead to alveolar bone loss. A greater deleterious effect was caused by green coffee bean extract, as it caused more RANKL expression, significantly reduced Ca level in the tissue and consequently decreased the bone area percentage.