International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 2, 35-38 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/ijdsr/5/2/5 ©Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ijdsr-5-2-5 Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in the Destruction and Healing Stages of Chronic Periodontal Disease: A Case Report Alaa Abdelhamid * Periodontology and Oral Medicine Department, Qassim College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia *Corresponding author: dr.alaa.abdelhamid@qudent.edu.sa Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a homodynamic proinflmmatory protein produced by many types of cells including endothelial cells, macrophages, activated T-cells and epidermal keratinocytes. VEGF was reported in epithelial cells and endothelial cells in periodontitis more than in gingivitis affected sites, suggesting that it could be an important growth factor for the onset of gingivitis and its progression to periodontitis. Objective: To evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gingival tissues affected by chronic periodontitis. Methods: Gingival samples (2-3mm) were collected from a 48 year old male with chronic periodontitis immediately before and 4 weeks after non-surgical periodontal therapy. The tissue samples were processed using immunohistochemical technique. Results: A decrease in VEGF expression in gingival tissues was recorded after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Conclusion: VEGF is continually produced and expressed in healthy and diseased gingival tissues; non-surgical periodontal therapy with antibiotics combination greatly affects the expression the patterns of VEGF as biomarker. Keywords: chronic periodontitis, non-surgical periodontal therapy, vascular endothelial growth factor Cite This Article: Alaa Abdelhamid, “Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in the Destruction and Healing Stages of Chronic Periodontal Disease: A Case Report.” International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research, vol. 5, no. 2 (2017): 35-38. doi: 10.12691/ijdsr-5-2-5. 1. Introduction Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a homodynamic proinflmmatory protein produced by many types of cells including endothelial cells, macrophages, activated T-cells and epidermal keratinocytes. [1,2] VEGF is a multifunctional angiogenic mediator that potently increases microvascular permeability, stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and induces proteolytic enzyme expression and the migration of endothelial cells, monocytes and osteoblasts, all of which are essential for angiogenesis. It is over expressed in various human tumors and inflammatory conditions such as periapical granuloma, pulpitis, periodontitis and radicular cysts. [3-8]. In the last decade, many groups focused their research on the angiogenic factors that contribute to progression of periodontal disease. In periodontitis patients, VEGF was detected within vascular endothelial cells, neutrophils, plasma cells, junctional pocket and gingival epithelium. [9] The increased expression of VEGF was reported in epithelial cells and endothelial cells in periodontitis more than in gingivitis affected sites, suggesting that it could be an important growth factor for the onset of gingivitis and its progression to periodontitis. [10,11,12,13] The case presented is a short term non-surgical treatment of a male with chronic periodontitis with the evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. 2. Case Report A 48 year old Egyptian male presented to the outpatient clinic, College Of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia suffering from periodontal diseases. The diagnosis was confirmed by both clinical and radiographic examination as 60% of periodontal sites were moderate to severe chronic periodontitis with a minimum of 3 mm attachment loss. The patient was informed about the nature and objectives of the study and his full signed consent was obtained prior to the study. The study complied with the rules set by the International Conference on Harmonization of Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Declaration of Helsinki The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee at the College of Dentistry, Qassim University. The following parameters were recorded: Plaque Index (Pl-I) [14], Gingival index (GI) [15], Probing pocket depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Loss (CLA) in addition to radiographic examination (periapical radiographs) using long cone parallel technique. The clinical periodontal parameters and radiographs were determined at base line and 4 weeks after periodontal therapy. The patient was not a smoker and has not received any periodontal therapy during the last 6 months.