Effect of Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment on Visfatin Concentrations in Serum and Gingival Crevicular Fluid of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: This study aims to assess visfatin concentrations in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and investigate this relationship in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic periodontitis (CP) before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with T2DM and CP were recruited. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: treatment and control. Serum and GCF visfatin concentrations and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at different time points (at baseline and 3 and 6 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment).

Results: Serum and GCF visfatin concentrations showed no significant differences between the groups at baseline (t test, P >0.05). A significant decline of visfatin in the treatment group was found in serum and GCF 3 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment (t test, P <0.01). Baseline and 3-month HbA1c levels were not significantly different, but at 6 months, a statistically significant difference was detected (t test, P >0.05).

Conclusions: The data suggest that non-surgical periodontal treatment is helpful for glucose control, an effect that may be associated with reduced visfatin in patients with T2DM and periodontitis. Furthermore, the data suggest that visfatin may be considered an inflammatory marker for periodontal diseases.