Autoradiographic Studies on the Metabolism of Gingival Glycosaminoglycans in Experimental Periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of the gingiva during a period of experimental periodontitis induced by placing a silk ligature below the gingival margin of dog molars. Incorporation of 3H-glucosamine into the gingiva was determined autoradiographically. The gingiva was collected at 0, 7, 21, 60 and 90 days and cultured in vitro in the presence of 3H-glucosamine. The autoradiographs showed a predominantly epithelial location of the silver grains in all gingival epithelia. The location was intercellular in all epithelia. The results suggest greater 3H-glucosamine incorporation by the epithelium compared with the connective tissue and markedly more rapid metabolic turnover of epithelial GAGs.