Elevated levels of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in human cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to immuno-localize and estimate the levels of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in human gingival tissue samples from healthy individuals, chronic periodontitis patients and patients with cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

METHODS

Group I consisted of individuals with healthy gingiva (n=6), Group II - cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth (n=9) and Group III - chronic periodontitis patients (n=6). Gingival tissue samples were collected from subjects of all the three groups. COX-1, COX-2 levels were estimated in tissue homogenates by enzyme activity assay. Immuno-localization for COX-1 and COX-2 was also done in sections of gingival tissue.

RESULTS

The study results demonstrated a significantly higher mean levels of COX-1 and 2 in drug induced gingival overgrowth samples (p<0.05). COX-1 and COX-2 was localized to epithelium and connective tissue in human gingival tissue sections from cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.

CONCLUSION

Cyclooxygenase enzymes appear to be potential mediators involved in the pathogenesis of cyclosporine induced gingival overgrowth.