Impact of Pycnogenol® on Gingival Inflammation (PINEGIN)

Impact of a Dietary Supplementation With Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®) on Gingival Inflammation - a Randomized Clinical Trial (PINEGIN)

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-arm, parallel group clinical trial is designed to evaluate the impact of the regular consumption of a polyphenol-containing Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on clinical signs of gingival inflammation in a cohort of periodontal aftercare patients

Polyphenols are natural compounds produced by plants that have various functions, such as defence against microbial pathogens or protection against UV light. Based on their antioxidant activity, a soothing or preventive effect of polyphenols on various inflammatory diseases has been suspected. There is evidence of an anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols in manifest periodontitis as well as antibacterial properties of these compounds. In addition, it is discussed that dietary polyphenols intervene in mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of arteriosclerotic changes and their progression. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2-arm, parallel group clinical trial is designed to evaluate the impact of the regular consumption of a polyphenol-containing Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on clinical signs of gingival inflammation in a cohort of periodontal aftercare patients

The experimental pine bark dietary supplement is packaged in neutral capsules, which are dispensed to the study patients in bottles with code labels.

Bleeding on Probing (BoP) is defined as the appearance of a bleeding spot within 30 seconds after gently probing the evaluated periodontal pocket by inserting the periodontal probe up to the probable bottom of the pocket.

Plaque Control Record (PlaCR) is defined as the percentage of assessed supragingival tooth surfaces covered by bacterial plaque. The presence of bacterial plaque is visually assessed after staining the tooth surfaces with a plaque staining agent.

Compositional changes within the intestinal microbiota between baseline and end of the study are assessed by Next Generation Whole Genome Sequencing on a species level

Compositional changes within the oral microbiota between baseline and end of the study are assessed by Next Generation Whole Genome Sequencing on a species level

PISA is calculated using the recorded pocket depths and bleeding on probing scores at each evaluated tooth at baseline and at the end of the trial at 6 months.

Change in salivary levels of cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, matrix metalloproteinases and MMP inhibitors

Saliva samples are taken at baseline and at the end of the study at 6 months for the analysis of salivary interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-31, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and Histatin 5 levels.

Change in serum levels of cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, matrix metalloproteinases and MMP inhibitors

Blood samples are taken at baseline and at the end of the study at 6 months for the analysis of serum interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-31, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 levels.

Inclusion Criteria: number of teeth ≥ 10 age ≥ 35 ≤ 90 years body mass index (BMI) ≥ 20 ≤ 30 history of periodontal disease and inclusion in a regular scheme of supportive periodontal therapy (regularly repeated subgingival biofilm removal 2-4 x/year) minimum of 10% probing sites displaying bleeding on probing Exclusion Criteria: manifestation of inflammatory oral mucosal diseases other than gingivitis xerostomia (stimulated salivary flow ≤ 0.1 ml/minute) inability to perform regular oral home care inability to follow the study protocol due to intellectual or physical handicaps history of malignancy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy for malignancy in the past 5 years current pregnancy acute infections such as HIV manifestation of metabolic bone disease use of antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications within 4 weeks prior to screening. current orthodontic therapy