Comparison of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Gingival Crevicular Fluids among Patients with Aggressive and Chronic Periodontitis and Healthy Individuals

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease which affects vascular supporting tissues of teeth. Angiogenesis is an integral component in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases and chronic inflammations, such as periodontitis. On the other hand, one of the major regulators of new vessels formation is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of this study was to determine and compare VEGF levels in gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) among patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals.
In this cross-sectional clinical study, forty-five volunteers were divided into three equal groups consisting of healthy individuals, chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis. In order to perform sampling, GCF was absorbed by putting number 40 endodontic paper cones in the the gingival sulci with highest degrees of clinical attachment loss and inflammation signs. Similarly, mesiobuccal sulci of left maxillary first molars were sampled in healthy individuals. After collecting all samples, VEGF levels were determined using ELISA method.
The present study showed that VEGF concentration means in healthy individuals, chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis were respectively 192.63±170.07, 1409.38±244.12 and 1734.33±317.13 nanograms per liter. VEGF levels in patients with aggressive periodontitis were significantly higher than chronic periodontitis (P=0.003) and VEGF levels in patients with both types of periodontitis were significantly higher than healthy individuals (P0.05).
VEGF levels were significantly higher in both types of periodontitis than healthy individuals and were significantly higher in aggressive periodontitis than chronic periodontitis.