[Interferon-gamma and neopterin in blood serum of patients with chronic periodontitis].

The aim of the study was to compare the serum levels of interferon-gamma (INF-gamma ) and neopterin (NPT) in 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and the control group (10 blood donors). We also investigated the difference between the mild (I group) and moderate forms (II group) of chronic periodontitis. Each group consisted of 10 patients. The serum levels of INF-gamma and NPT were measured using enzyme immunoassay techniques. The mean serum INF-gamma level in control was 9.7+/-3.18 pg/mL. The mean serum INF-gamma level in chronic periodontitis patients (n=20) was 13.08+/-4.6 pg/mL, in the I group (n=10) it was equal to 12.09+/-4.8 pg/mL; in the II group (n=10) - 13.2+/-4.03 pg/mL. Serum levels of INF-gamma in patients with chronic periodontitis were significantly higher than those in controls (p=0,024). Significant difference was observed in serum levels of INF-gamma between patients with moderate form and control group (p=0,043). There was no significant difference in serum levels of INF-gamma between patients with mild form and the control group (p=0,11). There was no significant difference between patients from I and II groups (p=0.9). The mean serum level of NPT in the control was 5.3+/-2.39 nmol/L. The mean serum NPT level in patients (n=20) with chronic periodontitis was 11.83+/-7.5 nmol/L, in I group it was equal to 9.27+/-1.84 nmol/L; in the II group -- 14.4+/-10.05 nmol/L. Serum levels of NTP in patients with chronic periodontitis were significantly higher than those in controls (p=0.001). Significant difference was observed in serum levels of NPT between patients with mild form and control group (p=0.0006). There was significant difference in serum levels of NPT between patients with moderate form and the control group (p=0.02). There was no significant difference between patients from the I and II groups (p=0.13).