IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN PERIODONTAL TISSUES .1. CONCENTRATIONS OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN NORMAL AND INFLAMED GINGIVA

Concentrations of immunoglobulins in normal gingiva and in inflamed gingiva of patients with moderate periodontitis were determined using radial immunodiffusion assay. The normal gingival tissue (G1=0) from 15 patients showed a wide range in concentrations of both IgA and IgG, with means of 0.18 μg IgA and 1.47 μg IgG per mg of dry tissue. Wide ranges in Ig levels were also observed in inflamed gingiva from 37 patients with moderate periodontitis. Mean concentrations of 0.36 μg/mg for IgA and 2.45 μg/mg IgG in mildly inflamed gingiva (GI=1) were found. Mean Ig levels in moderately inflamed gingival tissue (GI=2) were 0.48 μg/mg for IgA and 2.30 μg/mg for IgG. Comparison of the results showed that IgA and IgG levels in inflamed gingiva increased and these increases were statistically significant when compared with clinically healthy gingiva. While IgA and IgG were found in all the specimens assayed, IgM could be detected in less than 50% of tissues examined. The possible origin of immunoglobulins in gingiva, and variability of Ig concentrations among patients are discussed.