Serum levels of antioxidants and superoxide dismutase in periodontitis patients with diabetes type 2

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to estimate and compare the superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity levels in the serum of diabetes mellitus - Type 2 patients and healthy individuals with and without periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a case-control study comprising of 150 subjects, inclusive of both genders in the age group of 35-65 years. They were divided into three groups of 50 patients each. Patients were categorized into diabetic with chronic periodontitis (DM-CP) and systemically healthy groups with and without periodontitis. Serum samples were collected and sent for biochemical analysis to estimate the total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Results obtained were then statistically analysed using ANOVA test. RESULTS: The results showed a higher level of serum TAOC in the systemically healthy group without periodontitis (PH) compared to the other groups. The P value was found to be <0.05. The SOD levels were found to be highest in the DM-CP group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that serum TAOC were found to be highest in the PH group and lowest in the systemically healthy with chronic periodontitis (CP). The serum SOD levels were found to be highest in the DM-CP group. The increased levels of SOD seen in DM patients may be a result of a protective and adaptive mechanism against the oxidative stress developing in the tissue.