Aim: Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed in epithelial cells. Such peptides exhibit
antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, and are a component of the innate immune
response. It has been suggested that they have a protective role in the oral cavity. This study evaluated
the DEFB1 polymorphism in diabetic patients with or without periodontitis in comparison
to healthy controls. Material and Methods: We used Hairpin-Shaped Primer (HP) assay to study
the distribution of the -44 C/G SNP (rs1800972) in 119 human DNAs obtained from diabetic patients
and healthy control patients. Results: The results indicate that there are no differences in
distribution between groups and that in diabetic periodontitis patients the homozygous mutant
could be found more frequently. Conclusion: Further studies are necessary in order to investigate
the role of DEFB1 polymorphisms in diabetic periodontitis patients and the influence of the peptide
in periodontal pathogens.
