Increased intracellular levels of beta-glucuronidase in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from humans with rapidly progressive periodontitis.

The tissue destruction resulting from release of lysosomal enzymes by exocytosis and degranulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in host gingiva may contribute significantly to periodontal diseases. In this investigation peripheral blood was obtained from healthy controls and otherwise healthy individuals with rapidly progressive periodontitis. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were isolated and suspended in HBSS for subsequent in vitro FMLP challenge to induce degranulation. The supernatant was tested for beta-glucuronidase. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes from patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis contained significantly higher absolute amounts of beta-glucuronidase (p less than 0.001) and released greater amounts at various molarities of FMLP antigenic challenge (p less than 0.01). Such an increase in lysosomal enzyme activity may provide an enhanced potential for tissue destruction in this periodontal disease.