July 2022

Objective: Many biomarkers of periodontal diseases are inflammatory in nature and understandably decrease after non surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). This may not reflect the true nature of the disease. The aim of the study was to compare the salivary and serum levels of biomarkers more likely associated with bacterial infection and inflammation before and after NSPT. Methodology: 64 were enrolled and grouped based on their periodontal status as group I- periodontally healthy individuals (n=32) and group II- periodontitis stage II and III grade A (n=32). Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. The Periodontitis patients received NSPT. Salivary and serum samples were obtained at baseline and two weeks after treatment for analysis of Procalcitonin (PCT), C - reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin (IL-1β) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Periodontitis individuals had significantly higher levels of PCT, CRP and IL-1β than non periodontitis group (p < .05). Significant positive correlation was found between the three biomarkers and the clinical parameters. A significant decrease in salivary and serum PCT, CRP and IL-1β was detected after periodontal treatment compared to baseline values in the periodontitis group (p < .05). Correlation analysis revealed serum PCT to be strongly associated with PD and CAL at p < .05 even after NSPT. Conclusion: The present study found that NSPT resulted in reductions of both salivary and serum CRP, and IL-1β in periodontitis individuals within the normal range while the serum PCT levels still showed higher than normal values suggesting it to be a suitable marker for measuring periodontal disease activity.