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Keywords:

  • antioxidants;
  • carotenoids;
  • periodontitis

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to investigate the association between periodontal health and the serum levels of various antioxidants including carotenoids, retinol and vitamin E in a homogenous group of Western European men.

Materials and Methods: A representative sample of 1258 men aged 60–70 years, drawn from the population of Northern Ireland, was examined between 2001 and 2003. Each participant had six or more teeth, completed a questionnaire and underwent a clinical periodontal examination. Serum lipid-soluble antioxidant levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Multivariable analysis was carried out using logistic regression with adjustment for possible confounders. Models were constructed using two measures of periodontal status (low- and high-threshold periodontitis) as dependent variables and the fifths of each antioxidant as a predictor variable.

Results: The levels of α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were highly significantly lower in the men with low-threshold periodontitis (p<0.001). These carotenoids were also significantly lower in high-threshold periodontitis. There were no significant differences in the levels of lutein, lycopene, α- and γ-tocopherol or retinol in relation to periodontitis. In fully adjusted models, there was an inverse relationship between a number of carotenoids (α- and β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) and low-threshold periodontitis. β-Carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were the only antioxidants that were associated with an increased risk of high-threshold severe periodontitis. The adjusted odds ratio for high-threshold periodontitis in the lowest fifth relative to the highest fifth of β-cryptoxanthin was 4.02 (p=0.003).

Conclusion: It is concluded that low serum levels of a number of carotenoids, in particular β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene, were associated with an increased prevalence of periodontitis in this homogenous group of 60–70-year-old Western European men.