Research

Expression of caspase-3, p53 and Bcl-2 in generalized aggressive periodontitis

Şule Bulut¹ , Hilal Uslu¹ , B Handan Özdemir² and Ömer Engin Bulut³

¹  Baskent University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Ankara, Turkey

²  Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology Ankara, Turkey

³  Baskent University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ankara, Turkey

author email corresponding author email

Head & Face Medicine 2006, 2:17doi:10.1186/1746-160X-2-17

Published:	20 June 2006

Abstract

Background

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death is a form of physiological cell death. It is increased or decreased in the presence of infection, inflammation or tissue remodelling. Previous studies suggest that apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical features and known indicators of apoptosis (p53, Bcl-2, Caspase-3) in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP)

Methods

Eight patients with GAP, who had sites with probing depths (PD) > 5 mm, and 10 periodontally-healthy persons were included in the study. Clinical examinations and PD were performed, and the plaque index and gingival index were recorded. Gingival tissues biopsies were obtained from active site of each patient and from healthy individuals. The expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and p53 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry

Results

There were no significant differences between GAP and control group with respect to levels of caspase-3 and p53 expression (P > 0.05). Contrary, the frequency of grade 3 expression of Bcl-2 was higher in GAP group than the control group.

Conclusion

The higher frequency of Bcl-2 expression in GAP group indicates and delayed apoptosis can lead to increasing resident inflammatory cells in periodontal tissues and resulting in progressive periodontal destruction.