title: Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on superoxide dismutase levels in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients: a clinical and spectophotometric analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant acting against superoxide (oxygen radical, O(2)(∙-)), it is released in inflammatory pathways and causes connective tissue breakdown. Increased SOD activity in inflamed gingiva may indicate increased O(2)(∙-) radical generation by neutrophils and other inflammatory cells at the diseased site. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on SOD levels in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty subjects: 20 periodontally healthy (Control) and 20 chronic periodontitis (Test); age range 24-55 years were recruited. Gingival tissue samples were collected by excising the inner lining of the periodontal pocket at baseline (prior to non-surgical periodontal therapy) and 2 months post therapy. In controls, tissue samples were obtained immediately after tooth extraction scheduled for orthodontic reasons. Clinical parameters included probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index, bleeding index, plaque index. SOD activities were assessed spectrophotometrically at baseline and 2 months post NSPT, results were analysed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, patients with chronic periodontitis had higher mean SOD activity (2.73 ± 1.36) than the control subjects (1.12 ± 1.13) with p=0.00003 (p< 0.05). At 2 months post NSPT median SOD level (1.00) had come close to median SOD value of control group (0.85); p=0.99 (p> 0.05). The resolution of inflammation with successful NSPT resulted in decreased SOD levels as in control group. Clinical parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis showed a significant improvement 2 months post NSPT (p< 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly improves the clinical parameters and restores previously increased SOD levels to normal in chronic periodontitis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, Dr. DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Laxmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sukhtankar
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulloli
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kathariya
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
chemical_list: D013482:Superoxide Dismutase