Characterization of collagens in phenytoin-enlarged human gingiva.

The collagen content and composition of human gingivae enlarged due to phenytoin medication were compared to normal and inflamed gingival tissues. Phenytoin-enlarged gingiva contained significantly higher amounts of collagen. The ratio of type I to type III collagen was different in enlarged tissue, with less type I and an elevated amount of type III collagen present. The amount of type V collagen did not differ among normal, inflamed and phenytoin-enlarged gingivae.