GCF Galectin-3 and Interleukin-1beta Levels in Periodontitis.

A total of 80 systemically healthy and non-smoker individuals, 20 stage 3 grade C periodontitis 20 stage 3 grade B periodontitis, 20 gingivitis and 20 periodontally healthy were enrolled.

Periodontal clinical measurements including the probing depth, clinical attachment loss, the dichotomous recording (present/absent) of bleeding on probing, gingival index, and the plaque index at six sites (distobuccal, buccal, mesiobuccal, distopalatinal/lingual, palatinal/lingual, mesiopalatinal/lingual) on all teeth, except third molars, were performed by a graded periodontal probe.

According to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the 2017 International Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions18 participants were classified into four distinct groups based on their periodontal conditions: 1) 20 patients with generalized stage 3 grade C periodontitis; 2) 20 patients with generalized stage 3 grade B periodontitis; 3) 20 patients with gingivitis; and 4) 20 periodontally healthy individuals.

Gingival crevicular fluid was sampled from the buccal aspects of two non-adjacent interproximal sites in single-rooted teeth. Standardized absorbent paper strips were used for sampling. In periodontitis groups, samples were taken from two deepest pockets of single-rooted teeth. Samples were obtained from the sites with visible signs of inflammation in patients with gingivitis and without bleeding on probing in the healthy controls. The absorbed fluid volume was measured by a precalibrated electronic device.

Galectin-3 and interleukin-1 beta levels in gingival crevicular fluids samples were measured by the ELISA via commercial kits in line with the manufacturer's guidelines. Protein concentrations were calculated from the standard curve. Gingival crevicular fluid results for two analytes were expressed as total amounts at two samples per sampling time.

Normality of the data was checked by Shapiro Wilk's normality test. Comparisons of clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluids biomaker levels among the study groups were performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's test (with Bonferroni correction) was used to pairwise comparisons for non-normally distributed variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the ability of two analytes for diagnosis of periodontitis. Statistical significance was considered at p< 0.05 for all the tests.

Inclusion criteria

• Non-smokers with no history of smoking (determined by self-reporting)
• Individuals who had at least 20 teeth (excluding third molars)

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with diagnosed medical illness such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, immunological diseases.
• Patients who under any medication including immunosuppressants, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antiepileptic drugs, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, anticoagulants, hormonal contraceptives and nutritional supplements within the past 6 months, topical antiseptic solutions in the last 3 months.
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Individuals who had orthodontic appliances or removable partial dentures
• Individuals who had undergone professional teeth cleaning within the past year