Aminopeptidase B in Human Gingival Exudate as Affected by Reduced Oral Hygiene and Sugar Diet

Abstract

The activity of aminopeptidase B, an arginine aminopeptidase probably involved in the inflammatory process, was measured in human gingival exudates collected from persons kept on various sugar diets. The test persons were divided into four groups, receiving in their diet either sucrose, glucose, fructose, or xylitol during a four days period, after which the gingival index and the activity of aminopeptidase B in the gingival exudates were determined. The same measurements were carried out after a two week period of normal diet and good oral hygiene. The activity of aminopeptidase B was high in all samples after the four days sugar diet, increasing in the following order: glucose, fructose, sucrose, xylitol. After the two week normal period the activity of aminopeptidase B was reduced to one half or one third of the initial values.

Key Words:

• Aminopeptidases
• Gingivitis
• Nutrition
• Sweetening agents
• Inflammation