Prostaglandin E-2 level in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with Down syndrome

The levels of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) were determined in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) collected from patients with gingivitis: 15 Down syndrome children and 15 controls. The mean level of PGE(2) in GCF was significantly higher (P <0.05) in the Down syndrome group (10.0 pg/mu l GCF) than in the control group (4.6 pg/mu l GCF). In GCF samples collected from sites characterized as noninflamed, the mean level of PGE(2) was significantly higher (P <0.001) in the Down syndrome group than in the controls. The mean level of PGE(2) in samples from inflamed sites, on the other hand, did not differ between dhe two groups. The mean level of IL-1 beta was not significantly higher in the Down syndrome group than in the controls. This study shows that the level of PGE(2) detected in GCF from Down syndrome patients is increased, a fact that may be of importance in the pathogenesis of the periodontal disease frequently seen in these patients.