Estimation of Levels of Caveolin-1 and Azurocidin in Gingival Crevicular Fluid of Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients With Chronic Periodontitis: a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background- Periodontitis occurs as a result of complex interactions between bacterial plaques and the host immune system. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for periodontitis and leads to inflammatory changes within periodontal tissue. Caveolin-1 is an integral membrane protein that has diverse functions, such as regulating inflammatory mediators and insulin signaling. Azurocidin is a microbicide protein present in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils. It plays a role in innate immunity and is secreted during inflammatory conditions, and its functions are influenced by the glycaemic state. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the levels of caveolin-1 and azurocidin in the GCF of individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic individuals with chronic periodontitis. Method- A total of 45 subjects were divided into three groups of 15 each. Group I included periodontally healthy subjects, Group II included chronic periodontitis patients, and Group III included chronic periodontitis patients who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Periodontal parameters such as the PI, BI, GI, PD and CAL were recorded, and GCF samples were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression. Results- The GCF levels of caveolin-1 and azurocidin were significantly greater in Group II and Group III than in Group I (p ≤ 0.001). Caveolin-1 and azurocidin were significantly positively correlated with various periodontal parameters and GCF values (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion- The GCF levels of caveolin-1 and azurocidin were greater in chronic periodontitis patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus than in periodontally healthy subjects. Hence, both of these molecules may be considered as biomarkers for periodontitis and diabetes mellitus.