Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum Endocan, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels.

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs due to the interaction between pathogenic microorganisms and host defenses. Endocan is a proteoglycan secreted by endothelial cells under the control of inflammatory cytokines. Aims of the study are to determine serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) endocan levels in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, supported with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels. This study additionally aims to evaluate correlation between GCF endocan levels, VEGF-A, and TNF-α levels with periodontal probing depth (PD).

Methods: The study consists of two groups: group 1 (n = 20), healthy individuals; group 2 (n = 20), individuals with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP). Clinical measurements were recorded; GCF and serum samples were obtained from each participant before and 6 weeks after therapy. Levels of biomarkers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intergroup comparisons of biochemical and clinical parameters were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis/Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U test using statistical software.

Results: Serum and GCF endocan, VEGF-A, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in patients with CP than in healthy individuals (P <0.001) and decreased after treatment (P <0.03). A significant correlation was observed between GCF TNF-α and PD (4 mm ≤ PD ≤5 mm and PD ≥6 mm). A significant relationship was found among GCF endocan and TNF-α, VEGF-A, CAL, and GI for all groups (P <0.05).

Conclusions: Endocan and TNF-α levels, both in GCF and serum, increased from health to periodontitis and decreased with non-surgical periodontal treatment. Within the limits of the study, endocan may be considered as a potential inflammatory marker for periodontal disease.