PPAR, RXR, and VDR Expressions in Diabetes

Objective: Diabetes and periodontitis are two chronic inflammatory diseases sharing specific etiopathogenetic mechanisms, and both cause severe inflammation and destruction. The aim of the present study was to determine the receptor expressions of Peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, Retinoid X receptor (RXR)-α, Vitamin D receptor (VDR), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expressions in healthy gingiva and diseased gingival samples with diabetes. Methods: 45 participants as 1; healthy controls (C), 2; periodontitis group (P), and 3; diabetes and periodontitis group (DP) were enrolled. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were recorded in all participants. Two gingival biopsies from each participant were obtained, and one underwent histological tissue processing while the other underwent RT-PCR analysis of nuclear receptors. Inflammatory and fibroblast cell counts, PPAR-γ, RXR-α, and VDR were evaluated. Results: Fibroblast cells were lowest in the DP group and highest in the healthy group. PPAR-γ, VDR, RXR, and NF-κB expressions were higher in the healthy controls in the RT-PCR analysis and similar in the other groups. Immunohistochemistry analysis also showed similar results. Conclusion: Results concluded that healthy gingival samples had higher PPAR-γ, RXR, VDR, and NF-κB expressions, and the immunohistochemistry results also supported this finding. The healthy gingiva contained higher fibroblast cells and lower inflammatory cells.