Evaluation of NLRP3 and IL-18 Levels after Periodontal Therapy.

The progression of periodontitis depends on interactions between the periodontal pathogens and the host immune cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Production of IL-1β is regulated by NOD-like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of periodontal treatment on the concentrations of IL-18 and NLRP3 in patients with chronic periodontitis. In this experimental study, 18 patients with chronic periodontitis and a mean age of 46.2±8.95 years, were included. The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected at the beginning of the study, 4 weeks after non-surgical (phase I), and 4 weeks after surgical periodontal treatment. The levels of NLRP3 and IL-18 were measured; using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the concentration of NLRP3 and IL-18 before and after the treatments with CAL and PD. There was a significant association between the level of NLRP3 and the mean values of PD and CAL before treatment. After each treatment phase, a significant decrease was observed in the NLRP3 level. There was no significant relationship between IL-18 and clinical parameters before and after periodontal treatments. Given the possible association between the level of NLRP3 and clinical parameters, we suggest it as a possible indicator of inflammation in chronic periodontitis and an index for evaluating the treatment outcome.