AIM: To study the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of periodontitis and the relationship between the NO concentration and the attachment loss. METHODS: Seventy- two Sprngue- Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group and periodontitis group. Experimental periodontitis in rats was produced by a ligature of braided silk. The nitric oxide concentration was indirectly ascertained by the concentration of nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-)in the gingival tissue, which was assayed by spectrophotometry. The attachment loss (AL) was measured by the technology of the cellular graphics engineering research. The histopathologic change in periodontium was observed under a light microscope by using the histotomy. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the NO2-/NO3 - concentration in gingival tissue was significantly higher in periodontitis group at four weeks and eight weeks following ligation (P＜0.01). In periodontitis group, the NO2-/NO3 - concentration in gingival tissue was higher at eight weeks than that at four weeks following ligation (P＜0.01). At four weeks and eight weeks, the AL in experimental periodontitis in rats was significantly increased than that at one week after ligation ( P＜0.01); and the AL was also much higher at eight weeks than that at four weeks (P＜0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The NO2-/NO3- concentration in the gingival tissue in periodontitis group was significantly higher than that in control group. These results demonstrate that the NO2-/NO3- concentration is related to the severity of AL, and NO synthesis is very important to the process of inflammation and lesion in periodontium. Reducing NO production may be of great therapeutic value in the treatment of periodontitis.

Objective　To observe the immune responses elicited in BALB/c mice by a DNA vaccine. A gene encoding rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1) from Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) was cloned into vector pcDNA3. Methods　Amplifyied gene fragments coding for ROP1 from the genomic DNA of T.gondii ZS2 were inserted into cloning vector, pUC18, and sub-cloned into pcDNA3. Mice were injected at a dosage of 100?μg recombinant plasmid DNA by intramuscular injection and boosted after 2 weeks. pcDNA3 and normal saline were used as control. 30, 50 and 70 days after the second immunization, NK cell activity, T lymphocyte proliferation and sub-clusters and serum IgG antibody were assayed. Results　The specific gene fragment coding for ROP1 was amplified and a pcROP1 recombinant was constructed. At 30 days after immunization, the spleens of the mice were obviously enlarged evidently. NKC activity and the proliferation of spleen T lymphocytes seen on MTT assay were higher in pcROP1 group than in the controls. The number of CD4+ T cells exhibited no obvious increase compared with that of the control, but CD8+ T cells were obviously increased (P<0.05). At 90 days after vaccination, the titer of IgG antibody in the serum of vaccinated mice was positive (1∶100). Conclusion　pcROP1 was constructed and it could elicit both cellular and humoral immune responses in immunized mice.