Comparison of Salivary Epidermal Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Gingivitis and Advanced Periodontitis and Healthy Subjects

OBJECTIVE: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a polypeptide molecule, with important functions in epithelial growth and wound repair. It exerts its effects on cells by binding to receptors on the cell surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare salivary EGF levels in patients with gingivitis and advanced periodontitis as well as in healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from patients with gingivitis and advanced periodontitis and healthy individuals. The clinical parameters of plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured and recorded using a Williams probe. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine salivary levels of EGF. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean salivary level of EGF in healthy individuals (99.27) was significantly higher than that in patients with gingivitis (61.53). This value in patients with gingivitis (61.53) was also significantly higher than that in subjects with periodontitis (36.14) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The reduction in salivary level of EGF in patients with periodontal disease may be related to the pathogenesis of periodontitis.