AGE/sRAGE Ratio in Diabetic Periodontitis

The goal of this observational study is to learn about some molecules in the disease mechanism of type 2 diabetes and periodontitis. There are end products inside the body called AGEs and their receptors binding to them especially (sRAGE, RAGE) in people with diabetes in hyperglycemic state.These molecules are important also in periodontitis (the disease of teeth that may end with exfoliation of the tooth). Diabetes and periodontitis enhance each other's disease-causing effects. Both is chronic inflammatory diseases and IL-17 is another molecule having role in this process.

Totally 64 men and women aged between 27-60 included in the study. Study groups were : 1.participants with healthy teeth and no diabetes, 2. participants with periodontitis without diabetes, 3.participants with periodontitis and controlled diabetes, 4.participants with periodontitis and uncontrolled diabetes (6.5% and fasting blood sugar levels <200 mg/dl). Researchers got saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples from diseased teeth and examined AGE, sRAGE, IL-17 levels. GCF is a fluid around the crevice of the theeth with different characteristics from saliva.

As a result AGE/sRAGE ratio and IL-17 levels of diseased groups were higher than healthy group, while sRAGE levels were significantly lower in GCF samples. Researchers concluded that GCF and saliva AGE/sRAGE ratio may represent as a biomarker in periodontitis patients with uncontrolled diabetes.