Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of LL-37 and subgingival periodontal pathogens in the periodontal health and disease among three ethnic groups in Malaysia.

Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and subgingival plaque samples from 28 healthy subjects (H), 30 patients with gingivitis (G) and 30 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) were collected. The LL- 37 levels were quantified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while the subgingival periodontal pathogens were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Result: The LL-37 levels were significantly higher in the CP group than other groups. The detectability of LL-37 in CP group was 100%, while in H and G groups was 78.5% and 93.3% respectively. Red complex species populations in CP group are higher than in other groups. The LL-37 levels in GCF were positively correlated with red complex and A. actinomycetemcomitans species in the subgingival plaque. Moreover, there is a positive correlation between the LL-37 levels and periodontal pathogens which play major role in the initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis.

Conclusion: LL-37 in GCF may be considered as relevant biomarker for chronic periodontitis. Furthermore, red complex species count can be useful in the differentiation between the different stages of periodontal disease.

Keywords: Human cathelicidine LL-37; GCF; Periodontal pathogens; Biomarkers