title: Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on plasma homocysteine levels in Indian population with chronic periodontitis: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Homocysteine (Hcy) is implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The effect of periodontal disease and periodontal therapy on plasma Hcy remains controversial. Hence, in this pilot study we assessed the effect of periodontal disease and non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on plasma Hcy in systemically healthy Indian subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty participants (30 to 39 years) were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups based on gingival index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL): Healthy (control group; n = 20) and Chronic Periodontitis (test group; n = 20). Plasma samples were collected and quantified at baseline and 12 weeks after scaling and root planing (SRP) for Hcy using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with fluorescent detection (HPLC-fld).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma Hcy levels of chronic periodontitis (17.87 ± 1.21 μmol/l) subjects was significantly higher than healthy subjects (9.09 ± 2.11 μmol/l). Post-therapy, the plasma Hcy concentration reduced significantly (11.34 ± 1.87 μmol/l) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rise and descent of plasma Hcy levels with periodontal inflammation and therapy, respectively, indicate a direct relationship of Hcy with chronic periodontitis. NSPT may be employed as an adjunctive Hcy Lowering Therapy, contributing towards primary prevention against CVD's.
authors: Department of Periodontics, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
authors: Smiti
authors: S
authors: Bhardwaj
authors: M L Venkatesh
authors: ML
authors: Prabhuji
authors: Bangalore Vardhan
authors: BV
authors: Karthikeyan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D057747:Periodontal Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016745:Root Planing / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine
keywords: chronic periodontitis; homocysteine; plasma; root planing; scaling