The effect of adjunctive use of melatonin as a supplement on serum ferritin level in periodontal patients: A randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Ferritin is an acute‑phase protein that is increased in inflammatory diseases. Melatonin
has been studied due to its antioxidant effects and the elimination of free radicals. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin supplement as an adjunct to routine periodontal
treatment on serum ferritin levels in patients with periodontitis.
Materials and Methods: Forty patients with chronic periodontitis were included in this
randomized controlled clinical trial study. Twenty patients received nonsurgical periodontal
treatment and twenty patients received nonsurgical periodontal treatment with adjunctive use of
melatonin. Serum ferritin concentrations and periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and
3 months after periodontal therapy. Serum ferritin level and periodontal parameters comparison
at baseline and 3 months after periodontal treatment was done by Wilcoxon signed‑rank test and
paired sample t‑test, respectively. Differences between test and control groups were evaluated by
Mann–Whitney U‑test for ferritin level and independent t‑test for periodontal parameters, and a
P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Serum ferritin level decreased in both the control and test group in 3 months follow‑up
compared to baseline (P < 0.001). The reduction in ferritin levels in the test group was more than
the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.414). Improvement in
periodontal parameters were not significant between two groups (P = 0.489), but improvement
rates in the test group were more than control.
Conclusion: Melatonin, as an adjunct to periodontal therapy, showed additional benefits in the
reduction of serum ferritin levels and improvement of periodontal parameters.
Key Words: Chronic periodontitis, dental scaling, ferritin, inflammation melatonin