Gingival Crevicular Fluid Levels of Human Beta-defensin 2 and 3 in Healthy and Diseased Sites of Individuals with and without Periodontitis

Abstract

Objective: Human beta-defensins (hBDs) play an important role in the susceptibility to periodontitis. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of hBD-2 and hBD-3 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of individuals with and without periodontitis.

Methods: Twenty periodontally healthy individuals (H) and 20 with periodontitis (P) were recruited. GCF samples were collected from healthy sites (Hh; n=20) from H individuals; and from healthy sites (Ph; n=20), sites with gingival inflammation but no attachment loss (Pg; n=20) and sites with inflammation and attachment loss (Pp; n=20) from P individuals. Levels of hBDs (pg/mL) were determined using ELISA. Comparisons between individuals and among sites were performed through hierarchical linear modelling.

Results: GCF levels [median(Q3-Q1)] of hBD-2 were: Hh=4.80 (0.00-30.69); Ph=33.29 (28.04-38.25); Pg=27.56 (23.14-35.50); and Pp=26.20 (23.20-42.54); and of hBD-3 were: Hh=0.00 (0.00-0.00); Ph=978.44 (760.48-1268.12); Pg=938.19 (806.75- 1266.38); and Pp=613.63 (325.50-854.68). Periodontitis at the individual level was associated with higher levels of hBD-2 (p=0.023) and hBD-3 (p greater than 0.001). No influence of site phenotype was observed on hBDs levels.

Conclusion: Individuals with periodontitis presented higher levels of hBD-2 and hBD-3 in the GCF. These levels seemed to be influenced by periodontitis at the individual level but not by periodontal site.

Keywords: Beta-Defensins; Elisa (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay); Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Periodontitis.