Relationship between levels of aspartate aminotransferase in gingival crevicularfluid and gingival inflammation

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Abstract
Data from several sources demonstrate the disease-active and disease-inactive periodontal pockets exist, but currently available diagnostic procedures do not permit identification of disease-active sites at any given point in time. Using the experimental gingivitis model, we have performed studies aimed at determining whether levels of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in gingival crevicular fluid correlate with the presence and extent of periodontal inflammation. Gingival inflammation was assessed using the Gingival Index and the Sulcular Bleeding Index, and enzyme activity was measured using a standard procedure. Our data reveal a statistically significant association between AST values and Gingival Index scores for spontaneously occurring lesions (p < 0.02-0.04) and experimentally induced lesions (p < 0.0001), as well as the extent of change in these values during developing experimental gingivitis (p < 0.0001) and resolving experimental gingivitis (p < 0.0001). The data demonstrate that AST levels can be used of assess the presence and extent of preiodontal inflammation.