Literature Review: Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels in Inflammatory Periodontal Disease
Salivary nitric oxide levels in inflammatory periodontal disease – A case-control and interventional study
We’ve seen much information published and discussed relative to the Nitric Oxide-mediated relationships with general and cardiovascular related inflammation. This recently published information in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene sheds new light on the NO-related implications as it pertains to periodontal disease and oral inflammation.
From the abstract: Biochemical markers of inflammatory periodontal disease present in saliva can partially determine the extent of periodontal disease. Nitric oxide (NO) has been linked to etiopathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease and is expressed in saliva. This study was conducted with the objective of estimating salivary NO levels in inflammatory periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) and comparing these levels with control subjects. NO levels were increased significantly in gingivitis and periodontitis subjects as compared with controls. There was a statistically significant decrease in the NO levels in each study group after the healing period (corresponding to the reduced clinical signs of inflammation).
The conclusion states: Salivary NO levels can be utilized as a good indicator of the inflammatory status of the periodontium, and evaluating its levels in saliva by Griess reaction on a photoelectric colorimeter is a reliable, accurate and faster method to estimate the level of inflammation in periodontal tissues.