Passive Smoking and LL-37 in Children
Passive Smoking and LL-37 in Children
This study investigates the salivary LL-37 in passive smoking-exposed and unexposed children
 and the association between salivary LL-37 levels and periodontal clinical parameters in
 these children.Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from 180 children (90 passive
 smoking-exposed and 90 passive smoking-unexposed)
Diverse mechanisms conduce to the detrimental periodontal effects of passive smoking,
 including alteration of both microbial and host response factors.

 Antimicrobial peptides are considered to be an important intermediate step in initiating an
 initial immune response against the microbial side of the oral gingival epithelium and in the
 transition to acquired immunity.

 LL-37 has a wide antimicrobial activity against both cariogenic and periopathogenic bacteria
 and its role in maintaining oral health has recently been stated
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Systemically healthy children

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Any medications known to affect defense system and periodontium

 -  The presence of orthodontic / intraoral appliance