Immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor and Ki-67 in human gingival samples: An observational study

AIM: To evaluate immunohistochemically vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki-67 in human gingival samples and to compare these factors between healthy and diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 subjects were included in the study. They were categorized into three groups: Periodontally healthy group, periodontally diseased gingiva without any systemic disease group and periodontally diseased gingiva with controlled type II diabetes mellitus (DM) group. Gingival biopsies were performed and immunohistochemical analysis were done for VEGF and Ki-67 staining in gingival samples. RESULTS: The present study found moderate intensity staining for VEGF in periodontitis group and periodontitis with controlled type II DM group and mild intensity staining for VEGF in periodontally healthy group. With regard to Ki-67, negative staining was observed in periodontally healthy group and mild staining in periodontitis group and periodontitis with controlled type II DM group. CONCLUSION: Further investigation needs to be conducted to identify how VEGF and Ki-67 are involved in the tissue inflammation associated processes and the relationship between VEGF and Ki-67 in progression of periodontitis.