Patients with periodontal disease demonstrates changes in purinergic and inflammatory markers in PBMCs, serum and saliva.

Abstract

Periodontal disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of a chronic inflammatory process, due to the accumulation of bacterial biofilm and the host's response to these pathogens, resulting in the destruction of the supporting tissues of dental structures. Studies have revealed that components of the purinergic system and inflammation are related to the development and progression of PD. The objective was to evaluate periodontal clinical parameters, modulation of the purinergic system and inflammation in patients with PD, compared to individuals without the disease. This is a cross-sectional study with 25 healthy individuals (CT group) and 57 individuals with PD, where blood and saliva collection and isolation of blood components were carried out. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP; p < 0.0001), adenosine diphosphate (ADP; p < 0.05) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP; p < 0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals in the PD group compared to the CT group, indicating that individuals with PD showed reduced NTPDase 1 and Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Adenosine deaminase activity in saliva (p < 0.0001) and serum p < 0.05) from individuals with PD were significantly higher compared to the CT group. Extracellular ATP and the serum concentration of C-Reactive Protein showed a statistically significant increase in the PD group ((p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Therefore, the enzymes of the purinergic system are present in the modulation of PD, leading individuals affected by the disease to a pro-inflammatory state, hindering the action of the immune system and increasing serum markers of inflammation.