Effect of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy on Interleukin 17 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum of Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Periodontitis

Objective: The role of proinflammatory cytokines in chronic periodontitis (P) and coronary artery diseases (CAD) is currently under investigation. Interleukin 17 (IL 17) may play a role in the bidirectional pathogenesis of both conditions. The aim of the study is to explore the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of IL 17 in stable CAD patients with P. Methods: Sixty-one individuals were enrolled in the study including 32 chronic periodontitis [16 periodontitis (CAD-P+), 16 coronary artery disease with periodontitis (CAD+P+)] and 29 periodontally healthy subjects [15 (CAD-P-) and 14 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD+P-)]. GCF and serum samples were obtained and probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline and three months post-treatment. GCF and serum IL 17 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We observed significant improvements in the whole mouth and sample tooth periodontal parameters (both with p < .001) and as well as a reduction in GCF volume (p < .05) following periodontal treatment in periodontitis groups (CAD-P+ and CAD+P+). Serum IL 17 levels significantly decreased in CAD+P+ group following the periodontal therapy (baseline: 24.39 (13.04) pg/ml; 3rd month 19.16 (15.07) pg/ml, p < .05) while no significant alterations were observed in GCF samples. Conclusion: IL 17 is linked to proinflammatory response in atherosclerosis. Its post-treatment decrease in CAD+P+ group suggests IL 17 might be a useful biomarker for CAD-periodontitis relationship.