Amino acid profiles in relation to chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis (CP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are chronic inflammatory conditions, and share many pathologic features. Plasma amino acid profiles have been shown to be associated with RA, but their relevance to CP remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to evaluate amino acid profiles in relation to CP and RA. The study participants consisted of 62 patients with RA (RA group), 30 patients with CP (CP group) and 29 healthy controls (H group) in age-, gender-, smoking status-balanced condition. Clinical periodontal and rheumatologic parameter values and plasma levels of 21 amino acids, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Multiple comparison analyses revealed that the RA group exhibited similar periodontal conditions but significantly higher levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α than the CP group (P < 0.01).