Does smoking affect gingival crevicular fluid LL-37 levels following non-surgical periodontal treatment in chronic periodontitis?

• LL-37 levels in periodontal health were similar between smoker and non-smokers.
• Smoker periodontitis patients had lower LL-37 levels than non-smokers counterparts.
• Periodontal treatment decreased LL-37 levels in non-smoker periodontitis patients.
• Periodontal treatment did not affect LL-37 levels in smoker periodontitis patients.

ObjectiveLL-37 contributes to maintaining the balance between health and disease. Smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis that impairs neutrophil functions. The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) LL-37 levels in smoker and non-smoker chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and controls, as well as the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on GCF LL-37 levels.DesignThirty-one CP patients (16 smokers, 15 non-smokers) and thirty-one controls (16 smokers, 15 non-smokers) were included in the study. CP patients received non-surgical treatment. GCF LL-37 levels and periodontal parameters were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months after completion of non-surgical periodontal treatment. GCF LL-37 levels were analyzed by ELISA.ResultsNo significant difference was observed in GCF LL-37 levels between smoker and non-smoker controls (p > 0.05). Smoker CP group had significantly lower GCF LL-37 level than non-smoker CP group at baseline (p < 0.05). GCF LL-37 levels significantly decreased in non-smoker CP group at first week, 1 and 3 months after completion of non-surgical periodontal treatment (p < 0.05) although no significant decrease in GCF LL-37 levels was observed in smoker CP group (p > 0.05). Periodontal parameters were correlated with GCF LL-37 levels in non-smoker CP group (p < 0.05), but not in smoker CP group (p > 0.05).ConclusionsGCF LL-37 levels do not seem to be affected from smoking in periodontal health. However, smoking might have a suppressive effect on GCF LL-37 levels in CP. Non-surgical treatment is effective in decreasing GCF LL-37 levels in non-smoker CP patients but not in smokers with CP.