Aspartate aminotransferase increases in crevicular fluid during experimental periodontitis in beagle dogs

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970) Vol. 55; no. 9; p. 526
• Main Authors: Chambers, D A, Crawford, J M, Mukherjee, S, Cohen, R L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-1984
• Subjects: Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases - metabolism; Dental Plaque - enzymology; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Gingival Crevicular Fluid - enzymology; Gingivitis - enzymology; Periodontitis - enzymology; Periodontitis - etiology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0022-3492
• DOI: 10.1902/jop.1984.55.9.526

A ligature-induced periodontitis model employing the beagle dog was used to study the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in crevicular fluid before and after ligation. A significant increase in AST level occurred in crevicular fluid 2 weeks after ligation whereas no increase of enzyme was found in serum. Enzyme levels in crevicular fluid were 10- to 100-fold higher than in serum. Dental plaque did not appear to be the source of the enzyme. Since aspartate aminotransferase has been documented as a marker of cellular injury arising during heart disease and liver disease, this study suggests that aspartate aminotransferase, in like fashion, reflects cellular damage arising from active periodontal disease.