Molecular mechanisms of a combined extremely high frequency and infrared therapy in patients of different age groups suffering from chronic periodontitis

The combined effect of electromagnetic radiation at the extremely high frequency (EHF) and infrared (IR) ranges on the expression of cell renewal markers (Ki67 and p53) and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was studied by investigating the buccal epithelium of patients with chronic periodontitis from different age groups. After a course of EHF and IR therapy, an increase in the expression of the proliferotropic protein Ki67, along with a decrease in the synthesis of the proapoptotic protein p53 and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, were observed in young, middle-aged, and elderly patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. The data confirm the possible effect of the EHF and IR therapy on the pathogenetic mechanisms of chronic periodontitis in patients of different age groups.