Determining the HIF-1α, smad 3 and FOXO4 levels of diseased and healthy peri-implant mucosa

Objective: Diseased and healthy peri implant mucosa around the implant may differ from gingiva in terms of the amount of fibroblasts, inflammatory cells and collagen it contains. Even if clinical improvement is observed in the connective tissue after surgery, studies have shown that the healing connective tissue does not have the original cell and collagen content. The purpose of this study; is the comparison of diseased and healthy gingival and periimplant mucosal connective tissues in terms of healing biomarkers. Method: This study was conducted on 64 patients with resective gingival surgery indications. The patients were studied in four groups as healthy (n = 16), chronic periodontitis (n = 16), periimplant mucositis (n = 16) and periimplantitis (n = 16). Gingival and periimplant mucosal tissue samples were taken from patients whose phase 1 periodontal treatments were completed. FGF-7 and Smad 3 genes were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining method and FGF-7, Smad 3, HIF-1α, VEGF, FOXO4 and PHD gene expressions by Polymerase Chain Reaction method from the homogenates obtained from tissue samples. Protein levels in the tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: According to the immunohistochemical staining findings, FGF-7 and Smad 3 levels were statistically lower in the healthy group than in the other groups (p <0.05). According to the PCR findings, FGF-7, Smad 3, HIF-1α, VEGF, FOXO4 and PHD gene expressions were found to be significantly lower in the healthy group compared to the other groups (p <0.05). FGF-7, Smad 3, HIF-1α and PHD gene expressions were found to be significantly higher in the periimplantitis group compared to the other groups (p <0.05). FOXO4 and VEGF gene expressions were found to be significantly higher in periimplant mucositis group compared to other groups (p <0.05). Conclusion: After periodontal disease or post-operative connective tissue composition after resective gingival surgery, periimplant mucosa was found to be more disadvantageous in terms of wound healing and oxygenation.