Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Levels in Human Periodontium‐Derived Cells

Abstract

The ability to objectively assess periodontal disease activity can significantly affect periodontal therapy. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is released extracellularly upon tissue destruction which suggests its potential as a key index in a quantitative assay for evaluating periodontal disease activity. The purpose of the present research was to assess the origin of AST in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in vitro. An experimental kit was used for the measurement of AST level in human gingival epithelial cells (HGEs), human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and plasma in peripheral blood. AST activity levels were observed in all of the periodontally derived cells, PMNs, and plasma. A significantly high level of AST activity was observed in HGEs (104.93 +/- 8.13 KU/1000 cells). The level of AST activity in HPLFs was 18.09 +/- 3.73 KU/1000 cells. AST activity in PMNs was significantly low, approximately 2% of that observed in HPLFs. These findings may suggest that AST level in GCF is correlated with the destruction of periodontal tissue.

Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in saliva of patients with different periodontal conditions

“…The reason for this outcome could be related either to a low disease activity or to the type of tissue affected by necrosis. Mizuho et al (1996) demonstrated that fibroblasts from the periodontal ligament produce significantly lower levels of AST than gingival epithelial cells. The occurrence of a false‐negative case, however, should not be excluded.…”

Arginine and glutamate levels in the gingival crevicular fluid from patients with chronic periodontitis

“…AST has been reported to be a possible marker to distinguish between active and inactive pockets in PD (10,11). AST has been shown to be increased in PD in humans (12,13). Some studies have detected sulfated glycosaminoglycans in GCF in significant amounts in sites with advanced and juvenile periodontitis with high metabolic bone activity (14).…”

Use of aspartate aminotransferase in diagnosing periodontal disease: a comparative study of clinical and microbiological parameters

“…Higher levels of AST are found in the GCF of diseased sites than in healthy sites, and have been reported as a possible marker of periodontally active sites (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Significant AST levels have also been found in human gingival epithelial cells, human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (14). Approximately 1 week after site selection , enzymatic testing was conducted.…”