title: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum hCAP18/LL-37 levels in generalized aggressive periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  hCAP18/LL-37 is an endogenous antibiotic having a role in innate immunity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) hCAP18/LL-37 levels in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six G-AgP patients, 24 gingivitis patients, and 25 healthy subjects were included in this study. Periodontal parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index were recorded. GCF and serum hCAP18/LL-37 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GCF hCAP18/LL-37 level was significantly higher in G-AgP compared to others (p = 0.038, p < 0.001). Gingivitis patients had significantly higher GCF hCAP18/LL-37 levels than controls (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in serum hCAP18/LL-37 levels among the study groups (p = 0.524). While there were positive correlations between GCF hCAP18/LL-37 levels and periodontal parameters of sampling sites (p < 0.005), no significant correlation was observed between serum hCAP18/LL-37 levels and whole-mouth periodontal parameters (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased levels of GCF hCAP18/LL-37 in G-AgP might show that it is abundantly expressed in the presence of periodontal tissue destruction. Serum hCAP18/LL-37 levels do not seem to be related with the presence of G-AgP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hCAP18/LL-37 antimicrobial peptide might be associated with periodontal tissue destruction in the presence of aggressive periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Turkoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Emingil
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey. gulnihal_karasu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gülnihal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, School of Science and Letters, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Harika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Atmaca
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kutukculer
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Atilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins
keywords: Aggressive periodontitis; Antimicrobial peptide; Cathelicidin LL-37; Gingival crevicular fluid; Serum