Peripheral Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Function in Periodontal Disease 1. Chemiluminescence Response and Phagocytosis

• Published in: Nihon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi (Journal of the Japanese Society of Periodontology) Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 804 - 816
• Main Authors: SAITO, Kazuko, HASEGAWA, Akira, KATO, Chihomi, HAMAGUCHI, Shigeo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPANESE SOCIETY OF PERIODONTOLOGY 28.09.1987
• Subjects: Chemiluminescence response; fMLP; Periodontal disease; Phagocytic activity; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
• ISSN: 0385-0110; 1880-408X
• DOI: 10.2329/perio.29.804

Many studies have reported suppressed polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis in early onset periodontitis, JP and RPP. In contrast, data regarding PMN chemiluminescence (CL) response and phagocytic activity in patients with periodontal disease are very limited. Accordingly, we examined CL response and phagocytosis of peripheral blood PMNs from 27 patients, 3 with JP, 6 with RPP, 18 with AP, and normal control subjects, using Staphylococcus epidermidis and fMLP as PMN stimulants. The CL responses to S. epidermidis by PMNs from patients with JP, RPP and AP were divided into two groups, one with CL integral values significantly higher than healthy controls and other with significantly lower CL integral value'. Of the 27 patients, only a few remained in the normal CL range. The phagocytic activity of PMNs from patients with AP were assessed in two ways: using 1) the phagocytic index and 2) the total number of bacteria in 100 PMNs. In patients with AP these tests indicated either a high or a low value as in the CL response, whereas the phagocytic activity of PMNs from patients with JP and RPP remained either significantly lower or in the same range as the control group. The CL value was more closely correlated with the total number of bacteria in 100 PMNs than with the phagocytic index. The peak value of the CL response of PMNs from the patients was distributed in both the normal and high ranges. These results suggested that to understanding the pathology of periodontal diseases it will be nessesary to consider two aspects: the effects of superoxide on gingival tissues with regard to the acceleration of PMN function and the effects of bacteria on gingival tissues with regard to the impaired host-defense with PMN dysfunction.