Role of salivary leukocyte protease inhibitor in periodontal disease progression

• Main Authors: Pateel Deepak, Seema H, Kale Akla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
• Subjects: Chronic periodontitis; protease; saliva; SLPI
• Online Access: http://www.jisponline.com/article.asp?issn=0972-124X;year=2010;volume=14;issue=2;spage=109;epage=113;aulast=Pateel

<b>Context:</b> Proteases play a major role in the tissue destruction involved in periodontal disease. It is known that the balance between proteases and their inhibitors is a major determinant in maintaining tissue integrity. The association between the proteases and periodontitis is well established, but not many studies have been carried out to know the role played by a protease inhibitor like salivary leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in periodontitis. <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the present study was to correlate SLPI with periodontitis. <b>Settings and Design:</b> Case-control study. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Seventy-five clinically confirmed cases of periodontitis and 20 controls were included in the study. A detailed case history and periodontal index (PI) were recorded. Two milliliters of unstimulated saliva samples was obtained and subjected to quantification of SLPI leaves using SLPI in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Based on the periodontal index score of the individuals, the cases and controls were divided into groups A, B and C, and the obtained SLPI levels were compared among the groups. <b>Statistical Analysis:</b> Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test and correlation coefficient test. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that in the initial stages of periodontitis there is a tendency of SLPI levels to be raised. The SLPI levels were found to be reduced in the terminal stages of periodontitis. <b>Conclusion:</b> It appears that SLPI accumulates in the local environment, at least in the initial stages of the periodontal disease, probably to inhibit the action of increased elastic activity.