THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GRADE OF PERIODONTITIS AND GCF LEVELS OF TNF-α AND MIP-1α: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Objective
 The role of cytokines and chemokines in the
 pathogenesis of periodontitis indicates that tumor
 necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and macrophage
 inflammatory protein 1α (MIP1α) have crucial functions
 in the initiation and progression of periodontitis.
 However, the cytokine and chemokine profiles of
 different grades of periodontitis are still unclear, and
 no conclusive information has yet been reported
 on biomarkers associated with the progression rate
 of periodontitis. Thus, the aim of the present study
 was to estimate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)
 levels of MIP-1α and TNF-α in Grades A, B, and C
 and to evaluate their role as reliable biomarkers in
 determining the grade of periodontitis.
 Materials and Methods
 Individuals were divided into three groups according
 to their grade of periodontitis: individuals diagnosed as
 Stage IV periodontitis with Grade A (Grade A, n = 21),
 individuals diagnosed as Stage IV periodontitis with
 Grade B (Grade B, n = 21), and individuals diagnosed
 as Stage IV periodontitis with Grade C (Grade C,
 n = 21).
 Results
 Although there were no significant differences between
 groups in terms of mean TNF-α levels, the mean MIP-
 1α level of Grade C was significantly higher than that
 of Grade B and Grade A. The mean MIP-1α level of
 Grade B was significantly higher than that of Grade A
 (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis test).
 Conclusion
 MIP-1α could have clinical utility as a screening
 biomarker for the grade of periodontitis.