Proinflammatory and Antimicrobial Nitric Oxide in Gingival Fluid of Diabetic Patients with Periodontal Disease

Abstract

Abnormal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. In diabetic patients, increased inducible NO synthase in inflamed gingiva correlated with NO in gingival crevicular fluid. Although increased NO reflected more-severe inflammation, it was associated with reductions in CFU of Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontopathogen, highlighting dual roles for NO.