Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDental Research Journal1735-33279320120821Superoxide dismutase enzyme and thiol antioxidants in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva10831083ENSherminKarimPratibhaP.KDepartment of Periodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. bg_pratibha@yahoo.co.inShobhaKamathG. SubrayaBhatUllasKamathBabiDuttaNaveenSharmaBArchanaK. MahalingaBhatVasudevGuddattu20120821Background: The possibility of impaired antioxidant status and so increased oxidative damage inperiodontal disease is being conjectured. The present randomized controlled study was carried outwith the objective of analyzing the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme and thiol antioxidantsin gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva as indicators of response to periodontal therapy.Materials and Methods: Subjects were screened and randomly divided into three groups: 23periodontally healthy controls, 24 with gingivitis, and 23 with periodontitis. Based on the clinicalattachment levels, the periodontitis group was further divided into subgroups, including mild, moderate,and severe periodontitis. GCF and saliva samples were collected for estimation of superoxide dismutaseand thiol antioxidant concentrations at baseline and 15 days after nonsurgical treatment. Intragroupcomparisons were statistically analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance (P value <0.05).Results: Superoxide dismutase was present in greater quantities in the GCF compartment(100.32±3.67 U/0.5 mL) than in saliva (39.99±3.52 U/0.5 mL), with elevated levels in mild andmoderate subgroups as compared with severe periodontitis. Thiol concentrations were comparablein these media, 14.43±1.57 micromol /L in GCF and 15.09±2.26 micromol/L in saliva. Followingtreatment, superoxide dismutase and thiol antioxidant concentrations significantly improved in allthe patient groups.Conclusion: The reduction of the inflammatory response following therapy resulted in improvedantioxidant profiles in both the GCF and salivary compartments.Key Words: Antioxidants, gingival crevicular fluid, gingivitis, periodontitis, saliva, superoxidedismutase