Effects of treatment on soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type 1 and 2 in chronic periodontitis

Aim: We reported that soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type 2 (sTNFR2)/type 1 (sTNFR1) ratios in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) decreased as the severity of chronic periodontitis (CP) increased. This study investigated the effects of the periodontal treatment on TNF-α, sTNFR1 and R2 in GCF and serum of CP patients. Material and Methods: Thirty-five serum and 90 GCF samples were obtained from 35 CP patients (23 non-smokers and 12 smokers) at baseline and after treatment. The levels of TNF-α, sTNFR1 and R2 in serum and GCF were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results: No significant differences were found in the serum levels of TNF-α, sTNFR1 and R2 and the ratio of sTNFR2/R1 between baseline and after treatment. After treatment, sTNFR1 and R2 levels in GCF of non-smokers and smokers were significantly decreased compared with baseline. However, the sTNFR2/R1 ratio was significantly increased (non-smoker: 0.56±0.03–0.84±0.03, p<0.0001; smoker: 0.59±0.06–0.85±0.04, p=0.0019). There were no significant differences between non-smoking and smoking CP groups in serum and GCF. Conclusion: The ratio of sTNFR2/R1 in GCF significantly increased after treatment, and could be related to the clinical state of CP.