The Proliferative Activity of Fibroblasts of Gingiva in Adults at Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontitis is a disease that progresses with age and contributes to the biological aging of the dentition. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the aging of human gum fibroblasts. Low-intensity laser therapy stimulates the release of growth factors from fibroblasts and their division. The aim of the study was to determine the number, proliferative activity and apoptosis of gingival fibroblasts in people without signs of periodontal inflammation, with chronic periodontitis and after laser therapy. We used biopsy material obtained for periodontal, surgical, orthopedic and orthodontic indications under infiltration anesthesia in two age groups of patients aged 20–40 and 41–60 years. Cell markers Ki-67 and p53 were detected by immunohistochemical methods, the total number of gingival fibroblasts was estimated by staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The results of the conducted studies showed that the number of fibroblasts in the connective tissue lamina of the gums has age-related features. In young people from 20 to 40 years, the number of fibroblasts in gum preparations is 1,12 times higher than in people aged 41–60 years. Among the reasons for the decrease in the number of gingival fibroblasts is a decrease in their proliferative activity and activation of the proapoptotic p53 protein with age. Chronic periodontal inflammation leads to a significant increase in the number of fibroblasts, regardless of the age of the subjects. Fibroblast proliferation and p53 protein expression were more sensitive to microbial inflammation in patients aged 41 to 60 years compared to younger patients. Three-fold laser exposure had a differentiated modulating effect on the state of the gingival fibroblast population, depending on the age of the patients, the number of gingival fibroblasts was restored to the levels characteristic of healthy people, and this was observed only in the group of young patients. Thus, the number of fibroblasts in the human gingival connective tissue lamina changes with age, under conditions of inflammation and under the influence of a diode laser, which must be taken into account in dental practice.