title: Superoxide dismutase enzyme and thiol antioxidants in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possibility of impaired antioxidant status and so increased oxidative damage in periodontal disease is being conjectured. The present randomized controlled study was carried out with the objective of analyzing the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme and thiol antioxidants in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva as indicators of response to periodontal therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  SUBJECTS WERE SCREENED AND RANDOMLY DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: 23 periodontally healthy controls, 24 with gingivitis, and 23 with periodontitis. Based on the clinical attachment levels, the periodontitis group was further divided into subgroups, including mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis. GCF and saliva samples were collected for estimation of superoxide dismutase and thiol antioxidant concentrations at baseline and 15 days after nonsurgical treatment. Intragroup comparisons were statistically analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance (P value <0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superoxide dismutase was present in greater quantities in the GCF compartment (100.32±3.67 U/0.5 mL) than in saliva (39.99±3.52 U/0.5 mL), with elevated levels in mild and moderate subgroups as compared with severe periodontitis. Thiol concentrations were comparable in these media, 14.43±1.57 micromol /L in GCF and 15.09±2.26 micromol/L in saliva. Following treatment, superoxide dismutase and thiol antioxidant concentrations significantly improved in all the patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduction of the inflammatory response following therapy resulted in improved antioxidant profiles in both the GCF and salivary compartments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Annoor Dental College, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Shermin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Pratibha
authors.forename: Shobha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: G Subraya
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Ullas
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: Babi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Archana
authors.forename: K Mahalinga
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Vasudev
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guddattu
keywords: Antioxidants; gingival crevicular fluid; gingivitis; periodontitis; saliva; superoxide dismutase