Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarkers During Periodontitis Progression and After Periodontal Treatment

To identify gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)-derived inflammatory markers of periodontitis progression and periodontal treatment impact.

Periodontally healthy (H; n = 112) and periodontitis (P; n = 302) patients were monitored bi-monthly for 1 year without therapy. Periodontitis patients were re-examined 6 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Levels of 64 biomarkers were measured in the GCF samples collected at each visit from progressing (n = 12 sites in H; n = 76 in P) and stable (n = 100 in H, n = 225 in P) sites. Clinical parameters and log-transformed analyte levels were averaged within clinical groups at each time point and analysed using linear mixed models.

During monitoring, progressing sites had significantly higher levels of IL-1β, MMP-8, IL-12p40, EGF and VEGF. MMP-9 and Periostin were significantly more elevated in stable sites. Distinct cytokine profiles were observed based on baseline PD. Treatment led to significant reductions in Eotaxin, Flt-3L, GDF-15, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-17, MIP-1d, RANTES and sCD40L, and increases in IP-10 and MMP-9.

Distinct cytokine signatures observed in stable and progressing sites were maintained over time in the absence of treatment and significantly affected by NSPT.