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Updated: May 22, 2026
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Increased gingival blood vessel density in SLE patients
Giuseppe Alessandro Scardina1, Pietro Messina
1Department of Surgery and Oncology, Section of Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. scardina@odonto.unipa.it
Objective:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious multisystem disease with a variety of cutaneous and oral manifestations. It is an autoimmune disorder whereby patients develop autoantibodies to many of their cells, cell components, and tissue. The microvascular changes in SLE play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the gingival microcirculation in SLE patients.
Method And Materials:
Fifteen SLE patients and 15 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Gingival microcirculation was investigated using videocapillaroscopy, a noninvasive technique that permits the in vivo evaluation of microvascular patterns.
Results:
Significant differences between patients and controls for the capillary density were seen. An increase of mean capillary density was observed in SLE patients (105.5 ± 3.41) (P < .05).
Conclusion:
This study showed significant modifications of gingival microcirculation in SLE patients.
