AGING AND MICROCIRCULATORY DYNAMICS IN HUMAN GINGIVA

There have been no published reports characterizing gingival vascular function in humans of different ages. In this study, we compared gingi val vascular dynamics in 60 healthy male humans ranging in age from 18 -75 years (young, 18-25 years (Y); middle, 35-45 years (M); old, 65-75 years (O), 20 subjects/group). Both videomicroscopy of individual mic rovessels and laser doppler flowmetry were employed to assess marginal gingival circulation. Systemic cardiopulmonary parameters were monito red as controls. The number of gingival vessels visible in a microscop ic field was higher and the number of microvessels exhibiting active f low was lower in M and 0 compared to Y. There were no differences amon g age groups in laser doppler flow values (tissue blood flow) or in re d blood cell velocity in individual vessels. Although not statisticall y significant with age there was a trend towards decreasing blood flow velocity in both the laser doppler and videomicroscopic measurements. Blood pressure increased slightly with age. Peripheral oxygen saturat ion was lower in O compared to Y and M. No differences were seen in he art rate, respiratory rate or end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration. The changes in blood pressure and oxygen saturation were expected. The differences in numbers of visible vessels and the number of vessels w ith active blood flow may reflect the way the gingival microcirculatio n adapts with age to changing nutritional needs or to microbial and/or mechanical challenge.