Estimation of salivary arginase levels in smokers and non- smokers with chronic periodontitis: A biochemical study

Background: Chronic Periodontitis is the most frequently occurring form of periodontal diseases. Progression of the chronic periodontitis might lead to both esthetic and functional impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent its progression. Salivary biomarkers such as arginase activity estimation will be of help for assessing the present periodontal status. In the present study, salivary arginase activity was assessed in healthy subjects, in non smokers with chronic periodontitis and in smokers with chronic periodontitis. Methods: A total of 45 subjects were divided into 3 equal groups such as 15 controls, 15 non smokers with chronic periodontitis and 15 smokers with chronic periodontitis. Periodontal disease status was determined by recording the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), Mean probing pocket depth (PPD) and Mean clinical attachment level (CAL). Saliva was collected from patients by spit method. Arginase Activity was estimated by Diacetylmonoxime Method. Results: The data was analysed using statistical software package R2 O.15 version. The full mouth clinical indices values were analysed by mean and standard deviation, one way ANOVA test. The comparison of the three groups and the each parameter was carried out by post hoc (Tukey). Analysis of salivary arginase levels in various study groups showed the statistical significant difference (P value <0.001) between the control and study groups. Conclusion: Study showed increased salivary arginase levels in chronic periodontitis patients than healthy controls. Smokers with chronic periodontitis exhibited further increased arginase activity on comparison with non smokers with chronic periodontitis. Study indicated that smoking may have an adverse role on the periodontal status. The present study results suggested that the salivary arginase levels estimation can aid as an easy diagnostic method for assessing the periodontal status. Correspondence to: Shruthi Hegde, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, A. B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore, India, E-mail: [email protected]