Objectives: To analyze and correlate procalcitonin (PCT) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum in periodontal health and disease. Further, to evaluate the effectiveness of non surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on GCF and serum PCT levels of periodontitis patients.
Methodology: Thirty three patients, aged 30-39 years and sex matched, were recruited and divided into three groups of eleven (n=11) each based on clinical and radiographic parameters: Group I: Periodontal Health; Group II: Gingivitis; Group IIIa: Periodontitis; Group IIIb: After Treatment Periodontitis (includes group IIIa subjects 12 weeks after NSPT). Serum and GCF samples were analyzed for PCT using ELISA.
Results: PCT levels in GCF (0.19 ng/ml) and serum (3.25 ng/ml) were found to be highest in Group IIIa when compared to Group I GCF (0.01 ng/ml) and serum (0.06 ng/ml), whereas PCT GCF and serum levels in Group IIIb (0.11 ng/ml, 1.2 ng/ml) and Group II (0.07 ng/ml, 0.48 ng/ml) were intermediate between Group I and Group IIIa respectively.
Conclusion: The increase and decrease of PCT levels in both GCF and serum with periodontal inflammation and NSPT respectively indicates that PCT may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, thereby highlighting the possible role of PCT linking periodontal disease and systemic conditions.
Keywords: gingival crevicular fluid; non-surgical periodontal therapy; periodontitis; procalcitonin; serum.
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