Levels of human defensin-1, an antimicrobial peptide, in saliva of patients with oral inflammation.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of an antimicrobial peptide, human defensin-1, in the saliva of patients with oral inflammation.

STUDY DESIGN:

Whole saliva samples were collected from patients with oral inflammation and from healthy volunteers. Human defensin-1 in saliva was isolated and purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence and molecular weight of defensin-1 were determined. The concentration of defensin-1 in saliva was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Serum C-reactive protein concentration was measured by particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay.

RESULTS:

The salivary defensin-1 concentration was significantly higher in patients with oral inflammation than in healthy volunteers; furthermore, in patients with oral inflammation, the concentration was significantly higher before treatment than after treatment. In the patients with oral inflammation, there was a strong positive correlation between salivary defensin-1 concentration and serum C-reactive protein concentration.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings suggest that defensin-1 in saliva may be a convenient marker of inflammation associated with oral disease.

• Authors: N Mizukawa, K Sugiyama, T Ueno, K Mishima, S Takagi, T Sugahara
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 87 Issue 5 Pg. 539-43 (May 1999) ISSN: 1079-2104 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10348509 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Biomarkers
• Defensins
• Proteins
• Salivary Proteins and Peptides
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Amino Acid Sequence
• Anti-Infective Agents (analysis, chemistry)
• Biomarkers
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Case-Control Studies
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Defensins
• Female
• Gingivitis (metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Molecular Weight
• Proteins (analysis, chemistry)
• Saliva (chemistry)
• Salivary Proteins and Peptides (analysis, chemistry)