Plasma levels of N-telopeptide of Type I collagen in periodontal health, disease and after treatment

Abstract

Background: To determine plasma concentrations of bone resorption marker cross-linked
N-terminal telopeptide (NTx) of Type I collagen in periodontal health, disease and after nonsurgical
periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis group.In addition, to know the association between
plasma NTx levels and the different clinical parameters.
Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects were divided on the basis of their periodontal status and
were categorized as Group I: Healthy, Group II: Gingivitis, and Group III: Chronic periodontitis. Group
III subjects were treated with scaling and root planing, 6-8 weeks later blood samples were analyzed,
and they constituted Group IV. NTx levels in plasma were analyzed by competitive - enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. All data were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS) (α = 0.05).
Results: All the samples tested positive for the presence of NTx. The mean NTx concentration
was highest in Group III (18.77 nanomole Bone Collagen Equivalent [nm BCE]) and the lowest in
Group IV (16.02 nm BCE). The values of Group I and Group II fell between the highest and the
lowest values (16.23 nm BCE and 16.70 nm BCE, respectively).The difference in mean NTx levels in
Group III and Group IV were statistically signifi cant. NTx levels in all the groups positively correlated
with the clinical parameters. All data were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS) (α = 0.05).
Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it may be suggested that plasma NTx levels may provide
distinguishing data between periodontally healthy diseased sites and after nonsurgical therapy of
diseased sites.

Key Words: Collagen, periodontitis, plasma, resorption