What question did this study set out to answer?

July 19, 2026Open Access

Evaluation on features of “micro-inflammation” in periodontitis patients after nonsurgical therapy: a preliminary pilot study

ZYZhentao YangSichuan University LLL L LiuQingdao University WTWeidong TianSichuan University

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate inflammatory markers in periodontitis patients after non-surgical therapy and identify micro-inflammation features.
Included 23 periodontitis patients and 10 healthy individuals.
Participants received full-mouth non-surgical periodontal treatment and were followed at 4 and 12 weeks.
Seven inflammatory markers were assessed in gingival crevicular fluid and serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 A, MMP-8, and LPS decreased significantly in GCF post-treatment (p < 0.05), but were still higher than in healthy group.
IFN-γ levels were similar between treated periodontitis patients and healthy individuals.
No significant changes in serum biomarkers were observed.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In periodontitis patients, periodontium inflammatory levels may remain even after systematic treatment, impeding efficacy of stem cell therapy. This study aimed to compare periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum inflammatory profiles among healthy individuals, pre- and post-treatment periodontitis patients, and based on the data, describe the post-treatment "micro-inflammation" in periodontium of periodontitis patients. METHODS: Ten healthy individuals (group H) and twenty-three periodontitis patients (group P) were included. Group P participants received full-mouth non-surgical periodontal treatment at baseline, and were followed up 4 and 12 weeks later. The GCF and serum samples were collected and periodontal clinical parameters were recorded. Seven inflammatory markers in the samples were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins (IL)-6, IL-1β, Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-17 A. RESULTS: The amounts of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 A, MMP-8 and LPS in periodontitis patients' GCF decreased significantly both 4 and 12 weeks after treatment (p < 0.05), while still higher than healthy individuals (p < 0.05); strong positive correlations were shown between these biomarker amounts in GCF and clinical parameters (P < 0.05), such as pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. Amounts of IFN-γ were similar between periodontal patients after treatment and healthy individuals. When measured with concentrations, LPS and TNF-α decreased after treatment (P < 0.05) and remained higher than group H (P < 0.05); IL-1β and MMP-8 in group P did not change significantly after treatment and were similar to those in group H. No biomarker in serum showed meaningful differences. CONCLUSION: Low-grade and sustainable inflammation in the post-treatment periodontium continues, which was termed "micro-inflammation". The amounts of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17 A, MMP-8 and LPS in GCF can be used to describe characteristics of microinflammation, serving as reference for stem cell therapy on periodontal regeneration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR; registration number: ChiCTR2400088098, registration date: Aug 12, 2024).

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper