beta 2-Microglobulin levels in serum and saliva of patients with juvenile periodontitis.

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2-m) is a low-molecular-weight protein which has been suggested to play an important role in immune functions. The aim of this study was to determine beta 2-m levels in serum and saliva from patients with juvenile periodontitis (JP) and to compare them with those of periodontally healthy subjects. The study was performed on 11 patients with JP and 10 periodontally healthy controls (C). Clinical measurements were recorded and serum and saliva samples were obtained from the individuals. beta 2-m levels were determined using the ELISA technique. Serum beta 2-m levels were significantly higher in the JP group than in the control group. In saliva, no significant difference in beta 2-m levels between the groups was found. The higher beta 2-m levels in serum in the JP group suggest that beta 2-m may play a role as a systemic factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of JP.