Effects of aging on host responses in gingival crevicular fluid in natural gingivitis.

Elder patients with natural gingivitis had greater clinical attachment loss compared to young patients.

• Cross-sectional study with 40 total patients: young group (n=22, ages 18-35) and elder group (n=18, ages 36-75)
• Clinical attachment loss was measured as part of periodontal clinical parameters
• The greater clinical attachment loss in the elder group indicates higher cumulative periodontal disease burden

Elder patients with natural gingivitis had significantly higher expression of MPO, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in gingival crevicular fluid compared to young patients.

• MPO was significantly elevated in the elder group (p<0.001)
• IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were each significantly elevated in the elder group (p<0.05 for each)
• GCF samples were analyzed for 39 inflammatory and tissue remodeling mediators using bead-based multiplex immunoassays
• Independent t-tests with false discovery rate adjustments were used for between-group comparisons

The young group had a greater ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 than the elder group, while the MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio did not differ significantly between groups.

• The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was significantly higher in the young group compared to the elder group (p<0.01)
• The MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratio was not significantly different between young and elder groups (p>0.05)
• These ratios reflect tissue remodeling capacity, with MMP-9/TIMP-1 suggesting more robust tissue turnover in younger patients

The inflammatory profiles of young and elder cohorts with natural gingivitis are distinct, reflecting different host response characteristics.

• The young cohort with natural gingivitis demonstrated lower disease susceptibility and more robust tissue turnover
• The aged periodontium was characterized by higher susceptibility to disease and diminished healing capacity
• 39 inflammatory and tissue remodeling mediators were assessed in GCF to characterize these profiles