Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth - A Review

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is a side effect associated with 3 types of drugs: anticonvulsants (phenytoin), immunosuppressive agents (cyclosporine A), and various calcium channel blockers for cardiovascular diseases. Gingival overgrowth is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix in gingival connective tissues, particularly collagenous components with various degrees of inflammation. Although the mechanisms of these disorders have not been elucidated, recent studies suggest that these disorders seem to be induced by the disruption of homeostasis of collagen synthesis and degradation in gingival connective tissue, predominantly through the inhibition of collagen phagocytosis of gingival fibroblasts. In this review, we focus on collagen metabolism in drug-induced gingival overgrowth, focusing on the regulation of collagen phagocytosis in fibroblasts. DOI: 10.3329/bjpp.v25i1.5743Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2009; 25(1&2) : 26-29