Mast cells and periodontal disease

Abstract

Two groups of littermated hamsters with polyglucan‐forming streptococci in their oral flora, were set up in identical but separate quarters and fed a cariogenic diet. The control group was untreated, whereas the test group was inoculated orally with polyfructan‐forming streptococci (Strain SS‐2) by swabbing the teeth for four days. After forty‐four days, the animals were evaluated for dental caries, bone resorption and gingival mast cell population density. The inoculated hamsters showed a 2.24 X increase in dental caries, an 1.82 X increase in bone resorption, and a 1.50 X increase in mast cell numbers. The increases in each of these three parameters was statistically highly significant. The role of polyfructan‐forming streptococci in causing dental caries directly, and increasing numbers of mast cells with accompanying bone resorption along the alveolar crest and other periodontal disease symptoms is discussed.

The osteoclast and periodontitis

“…Such results only point out the variety of ways in which monocytes may participate in the active periodontal lesion, Heparin, a mast cell product, may play a helper role in osteoclast activation. Reports of mast cells in gingival tissue are varied and conflicting (Dienstein et al 1967, Shelton & Hall 1968, Zachrisson 1968a, 1968b, Shapiro et al 1969, Angelopoulos 1973, Coleman et al, 1975, Aeschlimann et al, 1980, Some investigators have observed an increase in mast cell numbers as the inflammatory response progresses, while others have observed their numbers fall. Those who observed an increase in numbers of mast cells viewed this as the host's attempt to re-arm itself for further defense.…”