The Expression of RANK and RANKL in Gingival Tissue of Human Chronic Periodontitis

Baek, Young Ran; Lee, Jae Mok

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to compare and quantify the expressions of RANK and RANKL in the gingival tissues of non-periodontitis patient and patients with chronic periodontitis, in order to understand the contribution of these proteins to periodontal destruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. According to the patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=8) is clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from non-periodontitis patients. Group 2 (n=8) is inflammed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantification of RANK and RANKL were performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by Student's t-Test.
RESULTS
The expression of RANK were similar in group 1 and 2. The difference between group 1 and 2 was not statistically significant. And the mean amount of RANKL was more increased in group 2 than group 1. The difference between group 1 and group 2 was statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
The expression level of RANK didn't show any significant difference between healthy tissue from non-periodontitis patients and inflamed tissue from chronic periodontitis, but the expression level of RANKL in inflammed tissue from chronic periodontitis showed significantly increased tendency compared to healthy gingiva from non-periodontitis patients. Threrefore, characteristics of RANK and RANKL in progress of chronic periodontitis would be basis of further studies in diagnostic method and treatment index of the disease.