Comparative evaluation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in periodontal diseases

Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic multi-factorial infectious disease characterized by irreversible destruction of collagen fibers and other matrix constituents of the gingival tissues and periodontal ligament, and resorption of alveolar bone around the teeth with periodontal pocket formation. Host response to periodontal disease includes production of different enzymes that are released by stromal, epithelial or inflammatory cells associated with cell injury and cell death, including aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. The aim of this study was to compare aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase salivary levels in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis and chronic mild-to-moderate periodontitis and healthy subjects with normal periodontium. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, unstimulated saliva of 25 patients with mild-to-moderate periodontitis, 15 patients with aggressive periodontitis, and 25 subjects with healthy gingiva were collected. The mean aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase salivary levels were measured by RA-ST autoanalyzer system. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test.Results: The mean levels and standard deviations of lactate dehydrogenase salivary enzyme in generalized aggressive periodontitis, chronic mild-to-moderate periodontitis and control groups were 1713±88.4, 1492±65.4, 1108±34.5, respectively, with significant differences between the groups (p value < 0.05) The mean levels and standard deviations of aspartate aminotransferase salivary enzyme in generalized aggressive periodontitis, chronic mild-to-moderate periodontitis and control groups were 55.46±5.6, 47.04±3.3 and 32.04±2.3, respectively, with significant differences (p value < 0.05).Conclusion: Mean levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase salivary enzymes in periodontal patients were higher than those in healthy subjects and these enzymes can be good markers for determining amount of destruction of periodontal tissues. Key words: Aspartate aminotransferase, Lactate dehydrogenase, Periodontal disease, Saliva.