Short term effects of periodontal therapy on inflammatory markers in patients with type-2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of periodontal therapy on glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in controls. METHODS: A total of 30 periodontal patients, 15 of which were systemically healthy (control group), and 15 were T2DM patients (test group) were included in this study. This prospective study was carried out at Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey between February 2011 and December 2013. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, periodontal probing depth, and clinical attachment level were assessed and recorded at baseline, one, and 3 months after therapy. Serum samples were collected at the same time-points and analyzed using Luminex assay for the levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α. The change in the metabolic control was also monitored. RESULTS: All clinical parameters were significantly improved after the periodontal therapy in both groups (p<0.001). Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were decreased; however, the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Fasting blood glucose levels were decreased one month after therapy, and increased at 3 months. Patients with T2DM had significantly higher levels of circulating IL-8 at each time point, and TNF-α (p<0.05) at baseline. The IL-4 and IL-10 levels were decreased at one month after therapy (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Periodontal therapy has limited impact on the serum levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α. Metabolic control levels were not influenced by periodontal therapy.