Premium
Smoking Affects Diagnostic Salivary Periodontal Disease Biomarker Levels in Adolescents
Author(s) -
Heikkinen Anna Maria,
Sorsa Timo,
Pitkäniemi Janne,
Tervahartiala Taina,
Kari Kirsti,
Broms Ulla,
Koskenvuo Markku,
Meurman Jukka H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2010.090608
Subject(s) - periodontal disease , biomarker , medicine , saliva , dentistry , biology , genetics
Background: The effects of smoking on periodontal biomarkers in adolescents are unknown. This study investigates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase levels in saliva together with periodontal health indices accounting for body mass index and smoking in a birth cohort from Finland. Methods: The oral health of boys (n = 258) and girls (n = 243) aged 15 to 16 years was examined clinically. Health habits were assessed by questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed by immunofluorometric and peptide assays for MMP‐8 levels and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase activities, and investigated statistically with the background factors. Results: Median MMP‐8 values of male smokers were 112.03 μg/l compared to 176.89 μg/l of non‐smokers ( P = 0.05). For female smokers corresponding values were 170.88 μg/l versus 177.92 μg/l in non‐smokers (not statistically significant). Elastase values in male smokers were 5.88 × 10 −3 ΔOD 405 /h versus 11.0 × 10 −3 ΔOD 405 /h in non‐smokers ( P = 0.02), and in female smokers 9.16 × 10 −3 ΔOD 405 /h versus 10.88 × 10 −3 ΔOD 405 /h in non‐smokers ( P = 0.72). The effect was strengthened by high pack‐years of smoking (MMP‐8, P = 0.04; elastase, P = 0.01). Both biomarkers increased with gingival bleeding. However, statistically significant associations were observed with bleeding on probing and MMP‐8 ( P = 0.04); MMP‐8 was suggestively associated with probing depth ( P = 0.09) in non‐smoking boys. In smokers with calculus, MMP‐8 increased after adjusting with body mass index ( P = 0.03). No corresponding differences were seen in girls. Conclusions: Smoking significantly decreased both biomarkers studied. Compared to girls, boys seem to have enhanced susceptibility for periodontitis as reflected in salivary MMP‐8 values.