Estimation of TNF-α Levels in Saliva and Serum of Patients with Periodontal Health and Chronic Periodontitis: A Case-control Study

Abstract

The aim of this case-control study is to estimate the circulatory levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) in saliva and serum of patients with chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects. Materials and methods: Forty-four patients were screened, and based on biofilm-gingival interface (BGI) index, they were grouped into group I healthy periodontium [BGI-H (20)] and group II periodontitis [BGI-P3 (24)]. Venous blood and salivary samples were collected and analyzed using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Independent sample t test was performed to determine the association. Results: Overall, there were differences in both the saliva and the serum TNF- levels in healthy and periodontitis subjects. The average serum TNF- concentration in group I healthy subjects was 23.12 pg/mL and in group II periodontitis was 24.06 pg/mL. In the saliva, the mean TNF- level in group I healthy subjects was 45.69 pg/mL and in group II diseased subjects was 46.58 pg/mL. However, the values were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).