The effects of periodontal therapy on gingival crevicular fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on gingival crevicular fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with periodontal disease. Material and Methods: Twenty-seven patients with gingivitis and periodontitis with RA, 26 patients with gingivitis and periodontitis that were systemically healthy and 13 periodontally and systemically healthy volunteers (control group) were included in this study. RA activity was assessed by disease activity score test. The clinical periodontal parameters, fasting venous blood and gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained and gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8, IL-6 and PGE(2) levels were evaluated at baseline and at 3 mo follow-up after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Results: Gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8, PGE(2) and IL-6 levels were higher in all groups than the control group. Following periodontal therapy, there were significant decreases in gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8, PGE(2) and IL-6 levels from patients with RA with periodontitis (p < 0.05). Plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing were significantly correlated with IL-6 and PGE(2) at baseline and at 3 mo follow-up after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Conclusion: Non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with RA with periodontitis may provide beneficial effects on local inflammatory control via decreases in gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8, PGE(2) and IL-6 levels.