Periodontal disease is more prevalent and more severe in diabetic than in nondiabetic individuals but the magnitude of this increase is still being debated. This prospective, cross‐sectional study compared the periodontal status of 118 diabetic men and 115 age‐matched non‐diabetic men. Plaque and gingival indices, bleeding scores, probing depth, losa of attachment, and number of missing teeth were measured in a blinded manner. Smoking status, glycemic control, socioeconomic status, and previous dental care were also assessed. These parameters were significantly higher in diabetic than non‐diabetic men: plaque index, P < 0.0001; gingival index, P < 0.0002; bleeding score, P < 0.0001; probing depth, P = 0.0059; loss of attachment, P < 0.0001; and missing teeth, P < 0.005. These parameters were significantly higher in smokers than non‐smokers: gingival index, probing depth, and loss of attachment. The duration of diabetes was not significantly related to the periodontal measures. Glycemic control as assessed by fasting plasma glucose and glycohemoglobin values was not significantly correlated to periodontal status. These studies indicate, for this study group, that diabetes significantly affects all measured parameters of periodontal status. J Periodontol 1996;67:1185–1192.

Plasma levels of vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and carotenes were determined in 125 male cigarette smokers and 125 age- and race-matched nonsmokers. The smokers had a mean daily consumption of 30.6 cigarettes and a cumulative consumption of 22.8 pack years. Plasma levels of vitamin C and total carotenes were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in smokers than those of nonsmokers, while levels of vitamin A, selenium, and vitamin E were not significantly different between these two groups. Similar results were found when only those subjects not taking any form of dietary supplements were included for analysis. Except for negative correlation between vitamin A and pack-year, no significant correlates were observed between plasma levels of these micronutrients and indices of smoking status or cigarette consumption in smokers. These data suggest that chronic cigarette smoking is associated with depressed levels of plasma vitamin C and carotenes; however, the relationship between smoking and these plasma micronutrients is still unclear.

1. The lipids and fatty acids of the lipids of testes of rats aged 4 weeks to 6 months were separated and analysed. 2. A decrease in concentration of triglyceride was noted, but there was no significant change in the concentration of phospholipids, plasmalogen or cholesterol during this time. 3. There were no significant differences in the total lipid concentration of palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid between the various age groups. 4. A decrease in the concentration of oleic acid in the phosphatide and triglyceride fractions and an increase in the concentration of docosapentaenoic acid (characterized as the Delta4,7,10,13,16-isomer) in phosphatides but not in triglyceride were observed during the maturation period. 5. Histological studies indicated that the lipid changes occurred at the same time as the appearance and maturation of the spermatids.

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The rate of migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from gingiva around single teeth in Beagie dogs was studied. Polymorphonnclear leukocytes emanating from the gingival crevices were harvested with standardized rinses at two minute intervals. In between the rinses one of three substances was applied: endotoxin activated autologous dog serum, a cigarette smoke solution and the vehicle as a confrol. In vitro, the activated serum was chemotactic and the cigarette smoke solution inhibitory to polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration. In vivo, the cigarette smoke solution also depressed tbe gingival polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration rate. The in vivo response to activated serum was biphasic with a diEpression first and an elevation later in the polymorphonuciear leukocyte migration rate. The experiments were performed on relatively healthy and distinctly inflamed gingiva. The higher polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration rate in inflamed gingiva was affected by the test agents in a similar way as the migration rate from healthy gingiva.