Authors : Angelo Leone , Elvira Farina-Lipari , Aldo Gerbino , Francesco Burruano , Silvia Tortorici and Maria Buscemi
Abstract: Prostaglandins (PG) are chemical mediators for most physiological and pathological responses, including cytoprotection of the gastric mucosa, blood coagulation, inflammation and pain (1, 2, 3). E2 Prostaglandins (PG2) play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, since PG2 determines vasodilatation and increased vascular permeability, oedema and erythema. Therefore, it is not surprising to find high levels of PG2 in inflamed gingival tissues. Indeed, in inflamed gingival tissue, PG2 levels of the Gingival Fluid (GCF) are known to be higher in periodontitis than in healthy gingiva. Moreover, in different parodontitis the high PG2 level of the GCF is related to periodontal ligament loss. The pathogenensis of the periodontitis can be due to the high PG2 activation of the Matrix Metal-Protease (MMP), which is synthesized by monocytes and fibroblasts. Consequently, destruction of connective tissue on a large scale takes place. The aim of this research is two-fold: To test the COX-2 expression in the human epulis and study its involvement in the PG2 synthesis and to find a alternative terapy to treat gingival diseases.
Angelo Leone , Elvira Farina-Lipari , Aldo Gerbino , Francesco Burruano , Silvia Tortorici and Maria Buscemi , 2007. COX-2 Expression in the Inflamed Gingival Tissues: Immunohistochemistry, Cytochemistry and Biochemistry Tests . Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 449-453.