The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine in human gingival crevicular fluid

In human periodontal disease, there may be periods of exacerbation and remission. Definition of the homeostatic mechanisms in the periodontium may therefore be important in understanding the natural history of this disorder. The polyamines are biologically active amines involved in the regulation of cell growth, regeneration of tissue and modulation of inflammation. Their occurrence was examined in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Fifteen sites were evaluated in four patients with moderately advanced periodontitis before and after root planing and scaling, and 15 sites were evaluated in four patients with mild inflammatory gingivitis and no attachment loss. Polyamine analysis was by high-performance liquid chromatography. GCF from untreated sites in periodontitis patients contained the highest concentration of putrescine (10(4) greater than serum). This polyamine was detected in all periodontitis samples and 12 of 15 gingivitis samples. Significant differences were seen when the amount of putrescine/30 s sample was compared: periodontitis sites before treatment 1005.7 +/- 106.1 pmol; periodontitis sites after treatment 504.7 +/- 89.2 pmol; gingivitis sites 186.7 +/- 40.1 pmol. In contrast, spermidine and spermine were detected only occasionally. Thus putrescine may play an important homeostatic role in the periodontium.