Mucosal Wetness, Hyposalivation, and Local Defense in Periodontal Inflammation

To evaluate the potential relationship between local salivary coating of mucosal surfaces, clinical periodontal status, hyposalivation, and local inflammatory response with a specific reference for MUC4 and TNF-α levels.

Based on their salivary flow rates, 24 hyposalivators and 26 normosalivators were recruited. Mucosal wetness (MW) and mucosal surface pH values were determined. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained. Mucin 4 (MUC4) and TNF-α levels in local and whole salivary and GCF samples were determined with ELISA kits.

GI and BoP were significantly higher in the hyposalivation group, while MW and mucosal pH values were significantly lower in hyposalivators, except for the labial surface. MUC4 and TNF-α levels showed significant differences among the groups. In the anterior region, GCF TNF-α concentration was high in hyposalivation patients; in the molar region, GCF MUC4 was significantly higher in normosalivators.

Based on the differences which MW presented at local sites, MW may be utilized as a possible practical tool to reveal the local salivary characteristics in various clinical periodontal conditions based on the presence/extent of local inflammatory response, which may be important when the site-specific nature of periodontal diseases is concerned.