Reduction of Inflammatory RANTES/CCL5 Serum Levels by Surgery in Patients with Bone Marrow Defects of the Jawbone

The presence of bone marrow defects of the jawbone (BMDJ) is associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines such as RANTES/CCL5. The purpose of this study was to analyze if BMDJ therapy under real-world conditions reduces RANTES/CCL5 serum levels in BMDJ patients.

During this retrospective study, 113 BMDJ patients received either no treatment (n = 57), BMDJ surgery (n = 25), tooth extraction (n = 20), or root canal treatment (n = 11). Serum concentrations of RANTES/CCL5, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed before and after treatment (interventional group) and at the beginning and end of the study period (control group). Statistical analyses of the results were performed by the two-sample t-test and Bonferroni post hoc test with ANOVA for multiple comparisons.

BMDJ were detected in all patients with 4.42 ± 2.75 BMDJ findings per patient. RANTES/CCL5 levels were significantly reduced by any treatment when compared to no treatment (p < 0.001; effect size d = 0.90). This effect was most pronounced in the BMDJ surgery group (p < 0.001; effect size d = 1.30). In contrast, RANTES/CCL5 serum concentrations further increased in untreated patients. Mean duration between pre- and post-treatment RANTES/CCL5 measurements was 22.86 ± 19.36 weeks, with no correlation with RANTES/CCL5 levels in any interventional group or in the total sample (p = 0.104).

BMDJ surgery, tooth extraction, and root canal treatment significantly reduce RANTES/CCL5 serum concentrations in BMDJ patients, with surgery being most beneficial. Further research is required to establish regular RANTES/CCL5 assessments as part of an improved diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluation of therapy success in BMDJ patients.