Relation of Metabolism of Oral Tissues to Periodontal Disease

¹ Special Dental Research Program, Veterans Administration Hospital, Brooklyn, New York

A review of interrelationships between the oxidative metabolism of periodontal tissues and periodontal disease was presented. Biochemical and histochemical studies of gingiva reveal a very low aerobic metabolism, with Q_o2 values comparable with those found in skin, cartilage, and certain eye tissues. In the presence of inflammatory reactions, the oxygen consumption of gingiva rises, with aerobic glycolysis activity apparently involved in the increase. Studies of specific enzyme systems reveal the presence of terminal respiratory enzymes and components of the citric acid cycle; their involvement in human and experimental periodontal disease was outlined to the extent of present knowledge.

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