The Effect of Smoking on Gingival Crevicular Fluid Sclerostin and TNF-Α Levels in Patient with Periodontitis

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cigarette smoking on sclerostin and TNF-α levels in subjects exhibiting periodontally healthy conditions and those afflicted with periodontitis. The hypothesis tested was that sclerostin levels in smokers could serve as a diagnostic marker and a tool to assess the progression of the disease. Methods: In the present study, gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained from a total of 72 patients, who were divided into four distinct groups: a control group of 18 non-smoking individuals without periodontitis, a group of 18 non-smoking individuals with periodontitis, a group of 18 healthy individuals who smoked, and a group of 18 smokers with periodontitis. The levels of sclerostin and TNF-α were then evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: The findings indicated a positive correlation between sclerostin and TNF-α levels in the gingival fluid of individuals diagnosed with periodontal disease.Subsequent evaluations of the relationship between smoking and these biomarkers revealed a statistically significant increase in TNF-α levels, while the increase in sclerostin levels did not attain statistical significance. However, when the analyses were performed without taking into account age-related effects within groups (adjusted for age), a statistically significant increase in sclerostin levels due to smoking was observed. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be posited that the measurement of TNF-α levels in smokers may serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of the disease. Further studies are required to determine the role of sclerostin in this context.