Assesment of Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum ErbB4/Neuregulin-4 Levels in Periodontal Disease and Health

This study aimed to investigate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum ErbB4 and Nrg4 levels in periodontal health and disease. A total of 80 individuals, 20 patients with stage II grade B periodontitis, 20 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis, 20 with gingivitis and 20 periodontally healthy individuals were included. Whole-mouth and site-specific clinical periodontal parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival index, plaque index and papillar bleeding index were recorded. GCF and serum ErbB4 and Nrg4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed by using non-parametric tests.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Periodontitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: non surgical periodontal treatment; Other: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum collection

Detailed Description

A total of 80 individuals, comprising 20 patients with stage II grade B periodontitis (P1 Group), 20 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis (P2 Group), 20 patients with gingivitis (G Group), and 20 periodontally healthy controls (H Group) were involved in the study.

The participants were classified into four groups depending on periodontal health status in accordance with the consensus reports of the 2017 World Workshop:

1. periodontally healthy (H) group: no interproximal attachment loss (AL), probing depth (PD) ≤3 mm, bleeding on probing (BOP) scores <10%;
2. gingivitis (G) group: no interproximal AL, PD ≤3 mm, and BOP ≥10%;
3. stage II grade B periodontitis (P1) group: 3 <PD ≤5 mm and 3 ≤ clinical attachment loss (CAL) <5 mm in one or more sites of the 2 non-adjacent teeth in at least two quadrants of the mouth, full mouth BOP ≥ 10% and no tooth loss due to periodontitis
4. stage III grade B periodontitis (P2) group: PD >5 mm and CAL ≥ 5 mm in one or more sites of the 2 non-adjacent teeth in at least two quadrants of the mouth, full mouth BOP >10% and tooth loss due to periodontitis of ≤4 teeth.

Inclusion criteria were as follows:

1. aged >18 years,
2. having at least 16 natural teeth (excluding third molar),
3. not having any diagnosed medical illness or drug intake that could affect the periodontal condition.

Exclusion criteria were as follows:

1. The patients who had taken antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory or any other drugs within the past 3 months,
2. received nonsurgical or surgical periodontal treatment,
3. a restorative and endodontic therapy requirement,
4. a removable partial denture and/or having orthodontic therapy
5. Current pregnancy or lactation, obesity, heavy smoking and having serum C reactive protein (CRP) > 3mg/L.

All individuals were examined at baseline and four weeks after non-surgical periodontal treatment including, whole mouth probing depth (PD), CAL, presence of bleeding on probing (BOP), papillar bleeding index (PBI), gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) except the third molars. PD and CAL were measured at six sites per tooth using a manual periodontal probe.

The non-surgical periodontal treatment for P1 and P2 groups included supra- and subgingival scaling, root planing and oral hygiene instructions. Subgingival scaling and root planing were performed under local anesthesia in two sessions within the 48-72 h. Gingivitis group had supra-and subgingival scaling, polishing and oral hygiene instructions. The treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis patients were performed by a periodontist (BM) using hand and ultrasonic instruments. All measurements were performed by the same calibrated examiner (BM).

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) sampling

GCF samples were obtained from four nonadjacent interproximal sites in two maxillar and two mandibular multi-rooted teeth by standardized filter paper strips. GCF samples were taken from four sites with GI <1, PD ≤ 3, PBI =0 and CAL =0 in the H group; from four sites with GI ≥2, PD ≤3, PBI >2 and CAL=0 in the G group; from four sites (deepest pockets 3 <PD ≤5) with GI ≥2, PBI >2 and 3 ≤CAL <5 mm in P1 group; and from four sites (deepest pockets PD ≥5) with GI ≥2, PBI >2 and CAL ≥5 mm in P2 group according to the baseline clinical measurements.

Serum sampling

Serum samples were taken following GCF sampling before the periodontal treatment. Six milliliters of venous blood were obtained by a standard venipuncture method and the serum was separated from blood by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 20 minutes.

Biochemical Assays

Levels of GCF ErbB4, Nrg4, IL-6, IL-10 and levels of serum ErbB4, Nrg4, nitric oxide synthase (NOS)2 and Arg1 were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

Statistical Analysis

All data analyses were performed using a statistical software package. Comparisons of clinical and biochemical parameters between the study groups were performed using the Kruskal- Wallis with Mann Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction method. The intragroup comparisons (at baseline and first month) were performed using Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Associations among levels of the GCF and serum biomarkers and clinical parameters were also examined using the Spearman rank correlation analysis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Bolu, Turkey, 14030
    • Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged >18 years,
• Having at least 16 natural teeth (excluding third molar),
• Not having any diagnosed medical illness or drug intake that could affect the periodontal condition.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had taken antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory or any other drugs within the past 3 months,
• Patients received nonsurgical or surgical periodontal treatment,
• Patients who have a restorative and endodontic therapy requirement,
• Having a removable partial denture and/or having orthodontic therapy,
• Current pregnancy or lactation,
• Obesity,
• Heavy smoking and having serum CRP > 3mg/L .

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: NONE

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: stage II grade B periodontitis; GCF and serum samples were taken before and after treatment from stage II grade B periodontitis patients. Intervention: Non- surgical periodontal treatment (SRP and oral hygiene instructions)	Other: non surgical periodontal treatment; SRP under local anaesthesia, in a total of 2 clinical visits. Oral hygiene instructions including the modified Bass technique and an appropriate interdental cleaning device with dental floss and interdental brush.; Other: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum collection; GCF with filter paper using the intracrevicular method and serum collection
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: stage III grade B periodontitis; GCF and serum samples were taken before and after treatment from stage III grade B periodontitis patients. Intervention: Non- surgical periodontal treatment (SRP and oral hygiene instructions)	Other: non surgical periodontal treatment; SRP under local anaesthesia, in a total of 2 clinical visits. Oral hygiene instructions including the modified Bass technique and an appropriate interdental cleaning device with dental floss and interdental brush.; Other: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum collection; GCF with filter paper using the intracrevicular method and serum collection
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: gingivitis; GCF and serum samples were taken before and after treatment from gingivitis patients. Intervention: Non- surgical periodontal treatment (Scaling and oral hygiene instructions)	Other: non surgical periodontal treatment; SRP under local anaesthesia, in a total of 2 clinical visits. Oral hygiene instructions including the modified Bass technique and an appropriate interdental cleaning device with dental floss and interdental brush.; Other: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum collection; GCF with filter paper using the intracrevicular method and serum collection
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: periodontally healthy; GCF and serum samples were taken at baseline from periodontally healthy individuals.	Other: Gingival crevicular fluid and serum collection; GCF with filter paper using the intracrevicular method and serum collection

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Biochemical parameters (ErbB4 and Nrg4)	The changes in levels of ErbB4 and Nrg4, four weeks after periodontal treatment determined by ELISA. The changes in levels of ErbB4 and Nrg4 were analyzed to determine as a diagnostic biomarker of periodontal disease.	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Biochemical parameters (IL-6, IL-10, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2 and Arg1)	The changes in GCF levels of IL-6 and IL-10 and serum levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)2 and Arg1, four weeks after periodontal treatment determined by ELISA.	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Plaque index	Plaque index was recorded for determining and classifying oral hygiene status	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Probing pocket depth	The changes in probing pocket depth was measured for determining of the severity of disease and clinical outcome	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Clinical attachment loss	The changes in clinical attachment loss was measured for determining the severity of disease	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Gingival index	Gingival index was recorded for classifying and evaluating sulcular gingival inflammation. Gingival index was also analyzed to detect the relationship between ErbB4/Nrg4 and periodontal disease.	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Bleeding on probing	Bleeding on probing was recorded for classifying and evaluating gingival inflammation especially for apically sulcular inflammation. This was also analyzed to detect the relationship between ErbB4/Nrg4 and periodontal disease.	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment
Papillar bleeding index	Papillar bleeding index was recorded for classifying and evaluating the papillar gingival inflammation. This index was also analyzed to detect the relationship between ErbB4/Nrg4 and periodontal disease.	Baseline and 4 weeks after treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Abant Izzet Baysal University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Papapanou PN, Sanz M, Buduneli N, Dietrich T, Feres M, Fine DH, Flemmig TF, Garcia R, Giannobile WV, Graziani F, Greenwell H, Herrera D, Kao RT, Kebschull M, Kinane DF, Kirkwood KL, Kocher T, Kornman KS, Kumar PS, Loos BG, Machtei E, Meng H, Mombelli A, Needleman I, Offenbacher S, Seymour GJ, Teles R, Tonetti MS. Periodontitis: Consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. J Periodontol. 2018 Jun;89 Suppl 1:S173-S182. doi: 10.1002/JPER.17-0721.
• Caton JG, Armitage G, Berglundh T, Chapple ILC, Jepsen S, Kornman KS, Mealey BL, Papapanou PN, Sanz M, Tonetti MS. A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions - Introduction and key changes from the 1999 classification. J Clin Periodontol. 2018 Jun;45 Suppl 20:S1-S8. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12935.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): April 2, 2018
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): January 18, 2019
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): January 18, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 7, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 7, 2019
• First Posted (ACTUAL): August 9, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): August 9, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 7, 2019
• Last Verified: August 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: periodontal disease; macrophage; gingival crevicular fluid; ErbB-4; neuregulin-4
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Stomatognathic Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Periodontitis; Periodontal Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2017/113; 2018.06.05.1310 (OTHER_GRANT: Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Research Foundation)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No