Zinc in etiology of periodontal disease

Microbial plaque is the main etiological factor of periodontal disease. The bacterial polysaccharides stimulate gingival neutrophils and macrophages to interleukin-1 (IL-1) production. IL-1 causes a complex of redistribution processes with liver as the central organ. Accumulation of zinc in liver and their copper and ceruloplasmin production also elicits increase of copper and decrease of zinc in gingiva. The elevated level of copper in connection with zinc deficiency in gingiva causes the increase of permeability of gingival epithelium for bacteria. The stimulated inflammatory infiltrate produces more IL-1 and the vicious circle is complete.