[Modulation of glycosaminoglycan- and collagen synthesis of human gingival fibroblasts by progesterone].

Hormonal changes occuring during pregnancy are known to induce periodontal changes and may therefore influence preexisting periodontal diseases negatively. Since glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen are the principal constituents of the matrix, the influence of progesterone on their synthesis was chosen as an assay system. Confluent human gingival fibroblast cultures grown under standard conditions were preincubated with progesterone levels ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 microgram/ml for 48h before GAG synthesis was assayed by incorporation of 14C-glucosamine. The GAG fraction was detemined by ion-exchange-chromatography and fractionated precipitation. Collagen-synthesis was monitored by 14C-proline-incorporation. Progesterone concentrations corresponding to those seen in the third trimenon of pregnancy were able to lower GAG-synthesis; the synthesis of all GAG-species was affected in a similar way. Collagen synthesis was only affected by unphysiologicaly high hormone doses. The observed clinical changes may therefore be due to the influence of progesterone on GAG synthesis.