Evaluation of NLRP3 and IL-18 Levels after Periodontal Therapy

Shahrzad Shahbeik; Ferial Taleghani; Mandana Sattari; Mahyar Mahvash Mohammadi; Mohammadreza Moravej

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v20i6.8028

Shahrzad Shahbeik Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental, Alborz University, Karaj, Iran
Ferial Taleghani Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
Mandana Sattari Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahyar Mahvash Mohammadi Orthodontist, Graduated of Dental Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadreza Moravej Faculty of Dentistry, Alborz University, Karaj, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v20i6.8028

Keywords: Chronic periodontitis; Interleukin-18; NLRP3 protein

Abstract

The progression of periodontitis depends on interactions between the periodontal pathogens and the host immune cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Production of IL-1β is regulated by NOD-like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of periodontal treatment on the concentrations of IL-18 and NLRP3 in patients with chronic periodontitis.

In this experimental study, 18 patients with chronic periodontitis and a mean age of 46.2±8.95 years, were included. The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected at the beginning of the study, 4 weeks after non-surgical (phase I), and 4 weeks after surgical periodontal treatment. The levels of NLRP3 and IL-18 were measured; using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the concentration of NLRP3 and IL-18 before and after the treatments with CAL and PD.

There was a significant association between the level of NLRP3 and the mean values of PD and CAL before treatment. After each treatment phase, a significant decrease was observed in the NLRP3 level. There was no significant relationship between IL-18 and clinical parameters before and after periodontal treatments.

Given the possible association between the level of NLRP3 and clinical parameters, we suggest it as a possible indicator of inflammation in chronic periodontitis and an index for evaluating the treatment outcome.