Progesterone affects periodontitis in perimenopausal women and in an experimental rat model

Progesterone (PG) is sex steroid hormone that commonly used to control menopausal symptoms, but its exact role in periodontitis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PG on periodontitis in perimenopausal women and in an experimental rat model.

Total 412 perimenopausal women with periodontitis and a history of PG deficiency-induced uterine dysfunctional bleeding were enrolled, among which 209 women had been treated with PG. The alveolar bone height (ABH) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by cone beam computed tomography in the full-mouth. Additionally, a ligation-induced rat model of periodontitis was established. After treated with PG, the alveolar bone was evaluated by micro-computed tomography, and the expression of osteogenic and inflammatory markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The levels of inflammatory markers were further measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

In perimenopausal women with periodontitis, significantly lower maximum mesial ABH and higher minimum lingual/palatal BMD were revealed in the PG group than in the control group. Compared with the control group, the mean values of BMD around all teeth were significantly higher in the PG group. In a rat model of periodontitis, the intervention of PG significantly improved the quality of alveolar bone, up-regulated osteogenic markers, and down-regulated inflammatory markers.

PG is associated with the remission of alveolar bone loss in perimenopausal women with periodontitis. PG may contribute to the remission of periodontitis through inhibiting alveolar bone loss and inflammation.