Interleukin-1 beta and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels after phase I periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis

Background: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), a potent stimulator of bone res orption, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal tissue dest ruction. There is also a clearly defined and substantial role for free radi cals or reactive oxygen species in periodontal destruction. The thiobarbitu ric acid reactive substances (TBARS) is a commonly applied test to measure free radical activity. The aims of this study were to investigate the amoun t of crevicular IL-1 beta, tissue TBARS levels, and the clinical status of patients with advanced chronic periodontitis and the effect of phase I peri odontal therapy on these clinical parameters and measurements. Methods: Twenty-five chronic periodontitis and 25 healthy control (C) patie nts were selected for the study. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pr obing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded from ea ch sampling area. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) sampling and clinical ind ex scores were recorded at the initial examination (IE) and 6 weeks after p hase I periodontal therapy (APT). Assays for GCF IL-1 beta were carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gingival tissue samples were obtained from sites requiring periodontal flap surgery due to unresolved p ockets to determine the tissue TBARS levels. The paired-samples t test was used to compare the IL-1 beta levels and clinical parameters between IE and APT. The independent-samples t test was used to determine the significance of all parameters between IE and C, and between APT and C. The correlation among the IL-1 beta levels, clinical parameters, and tissue TBARS levels w as analyzed using the Pearson correlation. Results: The concentration of IL-1 beta levels was not statistically differ ent among IE, APT, and C groups, but the total amount of IL-1 beta levels w as statistically different among the 3 groups. While the levels of IL-1 bet a and the clinical parameters were reduced following phase I periodontal tr eatment, pretreatment IL-1 beta, post-treatment IL-1 beta, and TBARS levels were statistically higher in IE and APT groups than C specimens. Tissue TB ARS levels in the APT group were statistically greater than controls. No co rrelations were noted between tissue TBARS levels and clinical parameters i n the APT group. A positive statistical correlation was detected between th e total IL-1 beta and TBARS levels in the APT group. Conclusion: These data suggest that the levels of crevicular IL-1 beta and gingival tissue TBARS are closely associated with periodontal status. This relationship may be valuable in treating and monitoring periodontal disease progression.