Relationship between gingival inflammation and total glutathione

Aim: Glutathione, which is known to be the main antioxidant, is the foremost redox regulator in the control of inflammatory processes. The goal of this study was to investigate the levels of total glutathione, which plays a central role in cellular antioxidant defense, in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma of individuals with gingivitis and periodontally healthy. Materials and Methods: Fifteen periodontally healthy subjects and 15 individuals with gingivitis were enrolled in the study. Samples of GCF, plasma, and clinical measurements were attained before and one month after non-surgical periodontal therapy. GCF and plasma levels of total glutathione were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay. Results: It was found that the levels of total glutathione in GCF were lower in gingivitis group than those in the periodontally healthy group (P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference in the plasma levels of total glutathione between gingivitis and periodontally healthy groups (P>0.05). Also, a statistically significant rise in GCF and plasma total glutathione levels in gingivitis group was found after periodontal therapy compared to baseline (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between total glutathione and gingival index (P<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that GCF and plasma levels of total glutathione could be influenced by gingival inflammation. In addition, it was revealed that the importance of periodontal therapy in the patients with gingivitis.