Influence of periodontal therapy on the regulation of soluble cell adhesion molecule expression in aggressive periodontitis patients

Background: Inflammatory periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulating cell adhesion molecules (CAM) (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], and E-selectin) have been suggested as potential candidate markers of endothelial dysfunction, which contribute to the pathogensis of cardiovascular diseases. The regulation of CAM in subjects with severe periodontitis and the influence of periodontal intervention on systemic CAM levels are not clear. The aim of this study was to determine whether intensive periodontal therapy reduces serum levels of CAM in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. Methods: Blood samples were collected at six treatment time points from 21 patients with previously untreated generalized aggressive periodontitis (mean age 34.6 +/- 4.3 years). Patients received subgingival scaling and root planing and antibiotic therapy and were monitored over a 6-month recall period. Serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1), E-selectin (sE-selectin) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: sE-selectin plasma levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) during periodontal therapy. Mean plasma levels were 65.95 ng/ml before treatment and 44.71 ng/ml 6 months after antibiotic therapy. sICAM-1 and sVCAM-2 serum levels were unaffected by therapeutic intervention. Conclusions: Periodontal therapy reduces plasma sE-selectin levels. Whether this leads to a reduction in risk of future cardiovascular events in patients with aggressive periodontal disease warrants further studies.