Role of mast cells in periodontal health and disease: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Mast cells (MC) are mobile secretory cells containing granules which are distributed around the microvascular endothelium in the oral mucosa and dental pulp having diverse biological functions which include phagocytosis, antigen processing and production of cytokines and release of a variety of preformed and newly formed physiological mediators. Mast cells are also involved in tissue injury and repair, allergic inflammation and host defense due to the presence of these mediators. The significant contribution of mast cell mediators to tissue damage and propagation of inflammatory responses make the control of mast cell activity vital to the management of many inflammatory diseases. As Mast cells have been shown to be capable of eliciting immune and inflammatory responses in Periodontal Diseases, this study was conducted to quantify the Mast cells in healthy and diseased gingiva and also whether they correlate the degree of inflammation and clinical features of Periodontium. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 soft tissue samples 10 each of Normal healthy Gingiva, Dental Plaque induced Gingivitis (DPIG) and Chronic Periodontitis (CP) were selected. Samples were obtained from patients undergoing periodontal surgery in CP and DPIG. In healthy (Control) group patients undergoing crown lengthening procedure were selected. Samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and stained with 1% Toludine blue stain and observed under light microscope for the presence of Mast Cells and Mean Mast Cell Index was calculated. Results obtained were statistically analyzed and interpretedResults: The Mean Mast Cell index was found to be highest in Chronic Periodontitis Group followed by Dental Plaque induced Gingivitis Group than Normal healthy Gingiva. Quantitative analysis of Mast cells with Toludine blue staining revealed statistically significant difference among the three groups examined.Conclusion: Increase in the number of Mast Cells in Human Periodontal Diseases indicates the importance of these cells in the progression to Chronic Periodontitis.