Osteopontin -a New Player on the Block !!

Osteopontin (OPN) is a bone matrix derivative, whose levels reflect active lesions of aggravated periodontal disease accompanied by alveolar bone resorption. It is also a component of human atherosclerotic plaque, whose levels are also found to commensurate with the progression of periodontal disease in Gingval Crevicular Fluid and Blood Plasma. The concomitant increase of OPN in Plasma is caused by spillage or overflow of OPN from the diseased periodontal tissues. Thus by treating periodontal disease we may lower the risk of future cardiovascular events by reducing OPN levels after periodontal therapy. This book acts as a guide with an objective to provide a diagnostic tool which is expected to play an important role in assessment of periodontal disease severity and it may also help in prevention and control of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, inflammatory kidney disease, diabetes mellitus and respiratory disease.