The changes in T lymphocyte subsets following periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any change in T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic periodontitis after applying different periodontal treatment methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with chronic periodontitis were included in the study. In every phase of the treatment (pretreatment, initial treatment, curettage and flap operations) the biopsy samples were taken from the gingival tissues at sites of chronic periodontitis. Then CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio values were determined using flow cytometry in the biopsy samples. At the same time, gingival pocket depth, Löe-Silness gingival index, and Silness-Löe plaque index scores were recorded to assess the periodontal status in patients. To determine the correlation between the clinical measurements and the laboratory results obtained before the treatment, after initial treatment, after curettage and after flap operations, we conducted an analysis using a paired t-test.

RESULTS: Flow cytometry findings in the patients with chronic periodontitis showed that CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte values before treatment were under the normal value and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was within the normal distribution interval. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio decreased postcurettage and postflap operation. This decrease was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte values were increased postcurettage and postflap operation. This increase was also statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that local immune response was poor in the patients with chronic periodontitis. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes could play a significant role in chronic periodontitis pathobiology.