Abstract:

Objective To determine whether polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor（ER） genes are associated with chronic periodontitis in a Chinese population overall the Shanxi territory. Methods 109 patients with chronic periodontitis and 99 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from oral mucosa swab sample of each subject by the Chelex-100 method. Determination of the ER-α and -β polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism（PCR-RFLP）, respectively. Results The analysis of the XbaⅠ polymorphisms in ER-α gene revealed significant differences between patients and controls. The detection frequency of XX genotype was significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis patients than in control subjects. The difference between the female chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls was statistically significant, but no difference was found between the male patients and controls. Nevertheless, no significant association was noted in the frequency of both RsaⅠ and AluⅠ polymorphisms in ER-β gene between chronic periodontitis and controls. Conclusion It is indicated that the ER-α XX genotype may be a susceptible indicator for chronic periodontitis in female Han Chinese subjects.

Key words: estrogen &alpha, receptor, estrogen &beta, receptor, gene polymorphism, chronic periodontitis