Cathelicidin (hcap-18/ll-37) levels in chronic periodontitis subjects with smokeless tobacco products (stp) consumption

Background: Periodontal epithelium has an active role in multi-factorial pathogenesis of periodontal diseases by producing diverse range of antimicrobial peptides, amongst which cathelicidins (LL-37) is the only one of its kind that has been found in humans. Genetic factors such as deficiency of LL-37 and environmental factors such as smokeless tobacco products consumption are found to be associated with severe periodontal destruction. Hence, the present study was conducted to estimate salivary LL-37 levels of chronic periodontitis (CP) subjects who consume smokeless tobacco Products (STP) and also correlate it with clinical parameters. Methods: 90 subjects distributed into three groups (n=30 each) as Healthy, CP and CP with STP habit participated in the study. Clinical parameters such as Gingival Index (GI), Oral Hygiene Index- Simplified (OHI-S), Pocket Probing Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded. Unstimulated whole Saliva was collected by draining method. Salivary LL-37 levels were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: Mean Salivary LL-37 levels (ng/ml) was 24.03±60.59 in Healthy, 235.06±318.8 in CP and 102.95±151.45 in CP with STP group (p<0.0001). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of salivary LL-37 levels with GI, OHI-S, PPD and CAL (p<0.0003). Conclusion: Salivary LL-37 levels were markedly reduced in CP subjects who consumed STP compared to CP subjects but were higher than healthy subjects.