Dietary Supplementation With Low-Dose Omega-3 Reduces Salivary TNF-α Levels in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis

Thirty systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups. The control group (n=15) was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP)+placebo whereas the test group (n=15) was treated with SRP and dietary supplementation of low-dose omega-3 PUFAs (6.25 mg EPA and 19.19 mg DHA). Clinical parameters were taken at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months following therapy. Saliva samples were obtained at the same time intervals and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Inclusion criteria

• patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis
• had at least nine posterior teeth (not including third molars and teeth with bridges and crowns)
• with 5-7 mm pocket depth
• three teeth with 6 mm or more of probing attachment loss enrolled in the study

Exclusion criteria

• patients were excluded on the basis of periodontal surgery within the last year;
• SRP as part of initial periodontal therapy within the past 6 months;
• history of diabetes, any diseases or disorders that compromise wound healing, any history of acute or chronic inflammatory disease,
• any oral mucosal inflammatory condition (e.g., aphthous, lichen planus, leukoplakia, and oral cancer) and use of aspirin
• other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics within the last 6 months.